Knout (nout or n&oomac;t), n. [Russ. knut'; prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. knut knot, knout, Icel. knūtr knot: cf. F. knout. See Knot.] A kind of whip for flogging criminals, formerly much used in Russia. The lash is a tapering bundle of leather thongs twisted with wire and hardened, so that it mangles the flesh.

Knout, v. t. To punish with the knout. Brougham.

• a leather scourge or whip used in imperial Russia
       *1980: Spray and then slogging knouts of water hit the windows or lights like snarling disaffected at a mansion of the rich and frivolous. — Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers
  
• to flog or beat with a knout
       *1992: Different, isn't it? It's called kava, by the way. The Fijians make it by knouting some root or other. — Will Self, Cock and Bull