squassation

American  

[skwo-sey-shuhn] / skwɒˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a form of strappado in which the victim, with arms bound behind and feet heavily weighted, was jerked up and down at the end of a rope passed under the arms.

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Etymology

Origin of squassation

1725–35; < Italian squass ( are ) to shake severely (< Vulgar Latin *exquassāre; see squash ¹) + -ation