fla ‧ gel ‧ late /ˈflædʒəleɪt, ˈflædʒɪleɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: flagellum 'whip' ]
to whip yourself or someone else, especially as a religious punishment
—flagellation /ˌflædʒəˈleɪʃ ə n, ˌflædʒɪˈleɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]