lathi

American  

[lah-tee] / ˈlɑ ti /

Or lathee

noun

Indian English.

1. a heavy pole or stick, especially one used as a club by police.

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lathi British  

/ ˈlɑːtɪ /

noun

1. a long heavy wooden stick used as a weapon in India, esp by the police

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Etymology

Origin of lathi

First recorded in 1840–50, lathi is from the Hindi word lāthī

Example Sentences

Police armed with wooden lathi sticks lashed ruthlessly out at some of the workers, who moved over the border in a giant human crush.

From The Guardian

“The police beat us a lot, they did a lathi charge inside the library,” said law student Mohammad Anas, using the Hindi word for a baton.

From Reuters

At the river, police with lathi sticks herded masses across pontoon bridges.

From Forbes

After barricading herself in a storeroom, she was rescued by police wielding bamboo lathis, or sticks.

From The Guardian

And the state did not help itself by lathi charging these people.

From New York Times