A tormentor, a torturer. Also figurative. Obsolete.

In sense (1), used (esp. by Layamon) in compounds denoting hostile acts or contests, as wiþerblench, wiþerded, wiþergome, wiþerhap, wiþerueht, wiþerst…

An officer who inflicts torture or cruelty; an official torturer; an executioner. Also transferred.

Now frequently as the second element in compounds (see bottom pincher n. at bottom, n. adj.compounds 3… A person who or thing which pinches; †a…

A torturer, tormentor; an executioner.

One who or that which inflicts or causes torture; a tormentor; spec. one who executes judicial torture.

attributive and in other combinations, as torture-chamber, torture-house, torture-monger, torture-rack, torture-room, torture-wheel; torture-scored…

One who excruciates; a tormentor.