[f. SPANK v.1] The action of beating or slapping with the open hand by way of punishment.
1854. Miss Baker, Northampt. Gloss.
1859. Slang Dict., 98. Spanking, a good beating.
1868. in Sat. Rev. (1869), 30 Jan., 144/1. I gave her what some American friends call ‘a spanking,’ sharp, short, and effectual.
1885. Sala, Lett., in Queen, 26 Sept., 307/3. The American lady doctor … suggested ‘spanking’ all round as a cure for the evil.
attrib. 1899. Westm. Gaz., 1 June, 5/3. The Warden of Denver Penitentiary has introduced a ‘spanking chair’ into the list of punishments permitted in the State prison.
