keelhaul
Drag under ship
Keelhaul was a naval punishment in which a sailor was tied to a rope, thrown overboard, and dragged under the ship's hull from one side to the other.
The barnacles on the keel would tear flesh, and drowning was a real risk.
The word now means to rebuke or punish severely: The boss keelhauled him for losing the account.
Beating as punishment
- cat-o-nine-tailsBraided whip for flogging
- lashingBeating or binding
- whippingRepeated striking blows
- stocksOwnership stakes or inventory
pillory · gallows · corporal · retribution · deterrence · penalty · execution · torture
Shell-armored marine clingers
- hullOuter covering or frame
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- deckShip's flat surface
- bowRespectful forward inclination
stern · rigging · mast · anchor · mariner · seafarer · ship · sailing
Savagely harsh or severe
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- barbaricSavagely cruel, uncivilized
savage · ruthless · draconian · inhumane · pitiless · vicious · grim · unforgiving
Criticize severely and lengthily
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- lambasteScold with ferocity
- castigateReprimand severely
upbraid · scold · admonish · censure · harangue · tongue-lashing
Caribbean colonial-era pirate
- corsairPirate or pirate ship
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
- BlackbeardFamous Caribbean buccaneer
plunder · cutlass · treasure · galleon · maroon · boarding · swashbuckler · sea-dog
Armed sailing vessel
- ship-of-the-lineHeavy warship for battle formations
- press-gangCompel military service
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
merchantman · gunport · broadside · cannon · admiralty · boatswain · quarterdeck
flogging
Beating as punishment
- cat-o-nine-tailsBraided whip for flogging
- lashingBeating or binding
- whippingRepeated striking blows
stocks · pillory · gallows · corporal · retribution · deterrence · penalty · execution · torture · sentence
barnacles
Shell-armored marine clingers
bow · stern · rigging · mast · anchor · mariner · seafarer · ship · sailing · tackle
brutal
Savagely harsh or severe
barbaric · savage · ruthless · draconian · inhumane · pitiless · vicious · grim · unforgiving · relentless
berate
Criticize severely and lengthily
castigate · upbraid · scold · admonish · censure · harangue · tongue-lashing
buccaneer
Caribbean colonial-era pirate
- corsairPirate or pirate ship
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
Blackbeard · plunder · cutlass · treasure · galleon · maroon · boarding · swashbuckler · sea-dog · rapscallion
man-of-war
Armed sailing vessel
- ship-of-the-lineHeavy warship for battle formations
- press-gangCompel military service
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
colonization · merchantman · gunport · broadside · cannon · admiralty · boatswain · quarterdeck
keelhaulcoddle
Overindulge or poach gently
pamper · handle with kid gloves · baby · cosset · mollycoddle
keelhaulreward
Payment for service
honor · decorate · promote · compensate · remunerate