n.
- historical a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
- a person or thing causing great trouble or suffering.
v.
- historical whip with a scourge.
- cause great suffering to.
Derivative
- scourger n. (historical).
Etymology
ME: shortening of OFr. escorge (n.), escorgier (v.), from L. ex- ‘thoroughly’ + corrigia ‘thong, whip’.