Bastinado, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bastinadoes (; p. pr. & vb. n. Bastinadoing.]
To beat with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of the feet.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Bastinado, n.; pl. Bastinadoes.
1. A blow with a stick or cudgel.
2. A sound beating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically: A form of punishment among the Turks, Chinese, and others, consisting in beating an offender on the soles of his feet.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for bastinado; he lists it under beat.
Where he writes about it:
Others of the above words describe the manner of beating, as bastinado, to beat on the soles of the feet; belabor, to inflict a comprehensive and exhaustive beating; cudgel, to beat with a stick; thrash, as wheat was beaten out with the old hand-flail; to pound (akin to L. pondus, a weight) is to beat with a heavy, and pommel with a blunt, instrument. — from beat