Garrotte

Garrotte (Span. garrote, 'a stick or cudgel'), a mode of execution practised in Spain and the Spanish colonies. Originally it consisted in simply placing a cord round the neck of a criminal, who was seated on a chair fixed to a post, and then twisting the cord by means of a stick (whence the name) inserted between the post and the back of the neck, till strangulation was produced. Afterwards a brass collar was used, containing a screw, which the executioner turned till its point entered the spinal marrow where it unites with the brain, causing instantaneous death. In its primitive form it exactly resembles the punishment of the bow-string in use among Mohammedan nations.—Garrotting is also the name given in Britain to a species of robbery which became rather common in the winter of 1862-63, and in which the robbers suddenly come behind their victim, and half-strangle him till their purpose is effected. An act passed in 1863 imposing Flogging (q.v.) as part of the penalty was effective in speedily suppressing the offence.