Frogmarches

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To propel an individual forward by restraining their arms and directing their movements while preventing escape
2. To compel a person to move in a designated direction by controlling their arms and restricting their freedom of movement
3. To drive a person forward by seizing their arms behind their back and guiding them against resistance

Etymology: "Frogmarches" is the third-person singular form of the verb "frogmarch," which means to seize someone from behind and force them to walk forward, usually by pinning their arms and lifting them off their feet so they cannot resist. The verb is built from two plain English words, "frog" and "march," and its origin dates to around 1871. The "frog" part refers to the body position of the person being moved. A captive held this way is pulled forward with arms bent behind or pinned, their legs kicking out and their body splayed wide, which looks much like a frog sprawled flat. The image is what gave the word its name, and the "march" half supplies the sense of forced, step-by-step movement.