SCOURGE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip Date: 13th century whip , an instrument of punishment or criticism, a cause of wide or great affliction, II. transitive verb (~d; scourging) Date: 14th century flog , whip , 2. to punish severely, afflict , to drive as if by blows of a whip, chastise , ~r noun