ferule

noun

fer·​ule ˈfer-əl 

ˈfe-rəl

variants or less commonly ferula

ˈfer-(y)ə-lə 

1

: an instrument (such as a flat piece of wood like a ruler) used to punish children

2

: school discipline

Word History

Etymology

Latin ferula giant fennel, ferule

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1