pilliwinks
/ˈpɪlɪwɪŋks
/plural noun historical
An instrument of torture used for squeezing the fingers.Other means of torture used in the Tower included the thumbscrew, the boot, the narrow-bore, the iron collar, the pilliwinks, and the brakes, a device used to break the victims' teeth....
- If you can not be reined in, pilliwinks will be applied to set you right.
Origin
Late Middle English pyrwykes, pyrewinkes, of unknown origin.