bludgeon

/ˈblʌd͡ʒ.ən/

Etymology

First attested in 1730. Origin uncertain, perhaps of Cornish origin (recorded as blogon c. 1450) or from Middle French bougeon, a diminutive of bouge (“club, stick”).

noun

  1. A short, heavy club, often of wood, which is thicker or loaded at one end.“We smashed the radio with a steel bludgeon.”

verb

  1. To strike or hit with something hard, usually on the head; to club.“The apprehended rioter was bludgeoned to death.”
  2. To coerce someone, as if with a bludgeon.“Their favorite method was bludgeoning us with the same old arguments in favor of their opinions.”