I. ˈhwip-ˌsȯ, ˈwip- noun
Date: 15th century
: a narrow pit saw averaging 5 to 7 1/2 feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length
II. transitive verb
Date: 1842
1. : to saw with a whipsaw
2. : to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents
wage earners were whipsaw ed by inflation and high taxes