whale 2 
(wāl, hwāl)
(wāl, hwāl)v. whaled, whal·ing, whales
v.tr.
1. To strike or hit repeatedly and forcefully; thrash.
2. To strike or hit (a ball) with great force.
v.intr.
1. To strike or hit a person or thing repeatedly and forcefully: whaled away at the plaster wall with a mallet.
2. To swing at a ball with great effort, especially repeatedly.
3. To attack vehemently: The poet whaled away at the critics.
[Origin unknown.]