/streuh pay"doh, -pah"-/ , n. , pl. strappadoes .
1. an old form of punishment or torture in which the victim, with arms bound behind, was raised from the ground by a rope fastened to the wrists, abruptly released, then arrested with a painful jerk just before reaching the ground.
2. the instrument used for this purpose.
[ 1550-60; alter. of MF strapade or its source, It strappata a sharp pull or tug, equiv. to strapp- (s. of strappare to snatch ( strappan to stretch) + -ata -ADE 1 ]