strap·pa·do 
(stră-pādō, -pä-)
(stră-pādō, -pä-)n. pl. strap·pa·does
1. A form of torture in which the victim is lifted off the ground by a rope attached to the wrists, which have been tied behind the back, and then is dropped partway to the ground with a jerk.
2. The apparatus employed in this method of torture.
[Alteration of French strapade, from Old French, from Old Italian strappata, from strappare, to stretch tight, of Germanic origin.]