ˌkad.əˈnīnˌtālz, ˌkat ə nˈī-, ˌkatəˈnī- noun
( plural cat-o'-nine-tails )
Etymology: so called from a comparison of its blows to the scratches of a cat
1. : a whip made of usually nine knotted lines or cords fastened to a handle and used for flogging
2. : cattail