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Webster 1913 Edition

Keelhaul

Keel′haulˊ

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Keelhauled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Keelhauling
.]
[
3d keel
+
haul
: cf. LG. & D.
kielhalen
, G.
kielholen
. ]
[Written also
keelhale
.]
(Naut.)
To haul under the keel of a ship, by ropes attached to the yardarms on each side. It was formerly practiced as a punishment in the Dutch and English navies.
Totten.

Webster 1828 Edition

Keelhaul

KEE'LHAUL

,
Verb.
T.
To haul under the keel of a ship. Keelhauling is a punishment inflicted in the Dutch navy for certain offenses. The offender is suspended by a rope from one yard arm, with weights on his legs,and a rope fastened to him, leading under the ship's bottom to the opposite yard arm, and being let fall into the water, he is drawn under the ship's bottom and raised on the other side.

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