fer·ule 
(fĕrəl)
(fĕrəl)n.
An instrument, such as a cane, stick, or flat piece of wood, used in punishing children.
tr.v. fer·uled, fer·ul·ing, fer·ules
To punish with a ferule.
[Middle English ferul, giant fennel stalk, rod, cane, from Latin ferula; see FESCUE.]