tawse

noun

variants or less commonly taws
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
British
: a leather strap slit into strips at the end and used especially for disciplining children

Word History

Etymology

probably from plural of obsolete taw tawed leather

First Known Use

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tawse was circa 1585

Dictionary Entries Near tawse

Cite this Entry

“Tawse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tawse. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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