lash / lash/ • v. [tr.] 1. strike (someone) with a whip or stick: they lashed him repeatedly about the head. ∎  beat forcefully against (something): waves lashed the coast [intr.] torrential rain was lashing down. ∎  (lash someone into) drive someone into (a particular state or condition): fear lashed him into a frenzy.2. [tr.] (of an animal) move (a part of the body, esp. the tail) quickly and violently: the cat was lashing its tail back and forth. ∎  [intr.] (of a part of the body) move in this way.3. [tr.] fasten (something) securely with a cord or rope: the hatch was securely lashed down he lashed the flag to the mast.• n. 1. a sharp blow or stroke with a whip or rope, typically given as a form of punishment: he was sentenced to fifty lashes for his crime fig. she felt the lash of my tongue. ∎  the flexible leather part of a whip, used for administering such blows. ∎  (the lash) punishment in the form of a beating with a whip or rope: they were living under the threat of the lash.2. (usu. lashes) an eyelash: she fluttered her long dark lashes.PHRASAL VERBS: lash out hit or kick out at someone or something: sticks with which to lash out and strike the prisoner. ∎ fig. attack verbally: he used his thank-you speech to lash out at critics.DERIVATIVES: lashed adj. [in combination] long-lashed eyes. lash·er n. lash·less adj.

lash1
A. make a sudden movement; dash XIV;

B. †lavish XVI;

C. (from the sb.) flog XIV. prob. echoic or symbolic.
Hence sb. blow, esp. with a whip; flexible part of a whip. XIV.

Lash

of carters: a company of carters—Bk. of St. Albans, 1486.

lash2 †lace XV; (naut.) make fast with a cord XVII. perh. of LG. orig.; cf. MDu. lasche rag, patch, Du. laschen patch, sew together.

LASH (læʃ) Commerce lighter aboard ship