keelhaul Meaning, Definition & Usage

Keel"haul` intransitive verb

Etymology

3d keel + haul: cf. LG. & D. kielhalen, G. kielholen.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Keelhauled ; present participle & verbal noun Keelhauling

Definitions

1. (Naut.) 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.