- scourge (n.)
- early 13c., from Anglo-French escorge, back-formation from Old French escorgier "to whip," from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- "out, off" + corrigia "thong, shoelace," in this case "whip," probably from a Gaulish word related to Old Irish cuimrech "fetter." Scourge of God, title given by later generations to Attila the Hun (406-453 C.E.), is attested from late 14c., from Latin flagellum Dei.
- scourge (v.)
- c.1300, "to whip," from Old French escorgiier and from scourge (n.). Meaning "to afflict" (often for the sake of punishment or purification) is from late 14c. Related: Scourged; scourging.