Hamburgers’ rather depleted buns in boxes (4)

I believe the answer is:

jabs

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'boxes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'hamburgers' rather depleted buns' is the wordplay.
'hamburgers' rather' becomes 'ja' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'depleted' means to remove the middle letters.
'buns' with its centre removed is 'bs'.
'ja'+'bs'='JABS'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for jabs that I've seen is " Prods".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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