v.
Pronunciation: ' fl ā
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English flen, from Old English fl ē an; akin to Old Norse fl ā to flay, Lithuanian pl ė š ti to tear
Date: before 12th century
1 : to strip off the skin or surface of : SKIN
2 : to criticize harshly : EXCORIATE
3 : LASH 1B <the wind whipped up to gale fury, flay ing his face ― Richard Kent>