Hwip

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. A thin flexible cord or rod attached to a handle ; to hit a person or animal with such a lash ; to jerk or dart something suddenly ; to beat cream or eggs until they become light and frothy
2. An old spelling of a long, pliable lash used to strike ; to lash someone or something with that instrument ; to move or pull a thing swiftly and abruptly ; to beat food such as cream into a light foam
3. A flexible strip of leather or cord used for striking ; to thrash an animal or person with it ; to dart or yank something quickly away ; to vigorously stir eggs or cream until fluffy

Etymology: "Hwip" is an older spelling of "whip," from the days when "hw-" was used for the initial sound now written "wh-." The word's earliest sense was not the lash. Around 1300, the verb meant to move quickly or to swing, and it probably came from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German "wippen," meaning to bob up and down or to skip. The sense of striking with a flexible cord came later, and the lash was named for the snapping, springing motion of the thing. The noun for the instrument was recorded in English in the early 14th century, so the flogging sense followed the verb's sense of quick, springy movement. The link is still visible in phrases like "whip up" a crowd or "whip round" for a collection, where the original idea of brisk, sudden motion survives.