from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flay \Flay\ (fl[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flayed} (fl[=a]d); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flaying}.] [OE. flean, flan, AS. fle['a]n; akin
to D. vlaen, Icel. fl[=a], Sw. fl[*a], Dan. flaae, cf. Lith.
pleszti to tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst, tear; perh. akin to
E. flag a flat stone, flaw.]
To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an
ox; to flay the green earth.
[1913 Webster]
With her nails
She 'll flay thy wolfish visage. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]