from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cucking stool \Cuck"ing stool`\ (k?k"?ng st??l`). [Cf. AS.
scealfingst[=o]l, a word of similar meaning, allied to
scealfor a diver, mergus avis; or possibly from F. coquine a
hussy, slut, jade, f. of coquin, OE. cokin, a rascal; or cf.
Icel. k?ka to dung, k?kr dung, the name being given as to a
disgracing or infamous punishment.]
A kind of chair formerly used for punishing scolds, and also
dishonest tradesmen, by fastening them in it, usually in
front of their doors, to be pelted and hooted at by the mob,
but sometimes to be taken to the water and ducked; -- called
also a {castigatory}, a {tumbrel}, and a {trebuchet}; and
often, but not so correctly, a {ducking stool}. --Sir. W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ducking \Duck"ing\,
n. & a., from {Duck}, v. t. & i.
[1913 Webster]
{Ducking stool}, a stool or chair in which common scolds were
formerly tied, and plunged into water, as a punishment.
See {Cucking stool}. The practice of ducking began in the
latter part of the 15th century, and prevailed until the
early part of the 18th, and occasionally as late as the
19th century. --Blackstone. Chambers.
[1913 Webster]