KEELHAUL

Etymology

Verb

keelhaul (third-person singular simple present keelhauls, present participle keelhauling, simple past and past participle keelhauled)

(transitive, nautical) To punish by dragging under the keel of a ship.

(transitive) To rebuke harshly.

Source: Wiktionary


Keel"haul`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Keelhauled; p. pr. & vb. n. Keelhauling.] Etym: [3d keel + haul: cf. LG. & D. kielhalen, G. kielholen. ] [Written also keelhale.] (Naut.)

Definition: To haul under the keel of a ship, by ropes attached to the yardarms on each side. It was formerly practiced as a punishment in the Dutch and English navies. Totten.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

30 May 2025

FOREHAND

(noun) (sports) a return made with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (as in tennis or badminton or squash)


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