knou

n. [ Russ. knut'; prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. knut knot, knout, Icel. knūtr knot: cf. F. knout. See Knot. ] A kind of whip for flogging criminals, formerly much used in Russia. The lash is a tapering bundle of leather thongs twisted with wire and hardened, so that it mangles the flesh. [ 1913 Webster ]