Keel"haul` (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Keelhauled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Keelhauling.] [3d keel + haul: cf. LG. & D. kielhalen, G. kielholen. ] [Written also keelhale.] Naut.
To haul under the keel of a ship, by ropes attached to the yardarms on each side. It was formerly practiced as a punishment in the Dutch and English navies.
Totten.
© Webster 1913.