cat-o'-nine-tails

From cat +‎ of +‎ nine +‎ tails; attested since 1695.

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cat-o’-nine-tails (plural cats-o'-nine-tails)

1. (nautical) A whip having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment. [from late 17th c.]
   • 1695, William Congreve, Love for Love:

     If you should give such language at sea, you'd have a cat-o’-nine-tails laid cross your shoulders.

2. A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies.

• cat-o'-nine (uncommon short form)