Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLOG, v.t. [L. fligo, to strike, that is, to lay on; L. flagrum, flagellum, Eng. flail; Goth. bliggwan, to strike; Gr. πλαγα, πληγη, L. plaga, a stroke, Eng. plague. We have lick, which is probably of the same family; as is D. slag, G. schlag, Eng. slay.]

To beat or strike with a rod or whip; to whip; to lash; to chastise with repeated blows; a colloquial word, applied to whipping or beating for punishment; us, to flog a schoolboy or a sailor.