Keelhaul \Keel"haul`\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Keelhauled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Keelhauling}.] [3d keel + haul: cf. LG. & D. kielhalen, G. kielholen. ] [Written also {keelhale}.] (Naut.) To haul under the keel of a ship, by ropes attached to the yardarms on each side. It was formerly practiced as a punishment in the Dutch and English navies. --Totten. [1913 Webster]