Flagellation (Latin
flagellum, "whip"),
flogging,
whipping or
lashing is the act of beating the human body with special implements such as
whips, es,
rods,
switches, the
cat o' nine tails, the
sjambok, etc. Typically, flogging is imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment; however, it can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious or
sadomasochistic contexts.