The correct answer is punish severely.
Keelhaul
A. dress wood
B. punish severely
C. strike a resounding blow
D. tow barge
The correct answer is (B) to punish severely; to rebuke severely. The nautical definition is to haul an offender under the keel of a ship and up the other side as a punishment.
Keelhaul comes from Dutch kielhalen
Examples of use:
- If you fail your assignment, they will keelhaul you.
- He was keelhauled for his unauthorized action.