keelhaul

[ keel-hawl ]

verb (used with object)
  1. Nautical. to haul (an offender) under the bottom of a ship and up on the other side as a punishment.

  2. to rebuke severely.

Origin of keelhaul

1
From the Dutch word kielhalen, dating back to 1660–70. See keel1, haul
  • Also called keel·drag [keel-drag], /ˈkilˌdræg/, keel·rake [keel-reyk]. /ˈkilˌreɪk/.
  • Also keel·hale [keel-heyl]. /ˈkil heɪl/.

Words Nearby keelhaul

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How to use keelhaul in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for keelhaul

keelhaul

/ (ˈkiːlˌhɔːl) /


verb(tr)
  1. to drag (a person) by a rope from one side of a vessel to the other through the water under the keel

  2. to rebuke harshly

Origin of keelhaul

1
C17: from Dutch kielhalen; see keel 1, haul

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