[f. BOOT v.3] a. Torture with the boot (see BOOT sb.3 3). b. Punishment of being beaten with a boot (see BOOT v.3 3).
1678. Phillips (App.), Booting, a sort of torture among the Scots.
1805. Sir R. Wilson, Priv. Diary, 30 Dec. I directed the most culpable to receive a booting from their comrades.
