keelhaul

[ keel-hawl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

Nautical. to haul (an offender) under the bottom of a ship and up on the other side as a punishment.
to rebuke severely.

keelhaul

/ ˈkiːlˌhɔːl /

to drag (a person) by a rope from one side of a vessel to the other through the water under the keel
to rebuke harshly

From the Dutch word kielhalen, dating back to 1660–70. See keel ¹, haul

C17: from Dutch kielhalen; see keel ¹, haul

And Operation Keelhaul is all anyone needs to know to understand the extent of Western “help” after WWII.

While he was considering the matter, Mr. Lowington went on deck, and investigated the plot to keelhaul the professor.

"Yes, you may go; but I'll keelhaul every man who's not off to his work by daylight—recollect that," replied Vanderdecken.

"Keelhaul me if I cut adrift at this stage of the game," answered Ferral.

He had sneaked in without Aunt's knowing it, and on reaching home was heard to express a strong desire to 'keelhaul them doctors.'

April 17, 2024axolotl

[ak-suh-lot-l ]

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