Taws \Taws\, n. [See {Taw} to beat.] A leather lash, or other instrument of punishment, used by a schoolmaster. [Written also {tawes}, {tawis}, and {tawse}.] [Scot.] Never use the taws when a gloom can do the turn. --Ramsay.
tawse n : a leather strap for punishing children