mauling Definition

maul
verb mauled, mauling

1. To attack someone or something fiercely, usually tearing the flesh.

Example: was mauled by lions
2. To handle someone or something roughly or clumsily.

Thesaurus: beat, pummel, hit, batter, manhandle, pound, rough up.
3. To subject someone to fierce criticism.

noun

1. rugby.
A quickly-formed gathering of players from both teams around a player who is holding the ball.
2. A heavy wooden hammer.

Etymology: 13c as male in obsolete sense ‘a mace¹': from French mail, from Latin malleus a hammer.