The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Scourge \Scourge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scourged; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Scourging.] [From Scourge, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.]
   1. To whip severely; to lash.
      [1913 Webster]

            Is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman?
                                                  --Acts xxii.
                                                  25.
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   2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for
      sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction.
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            Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
            every son whom he receiveth.          --Heb. xii. 6.
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   3. To harass or afflict severely.
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            To scourge and impoverish the people. --Brougham.
      [1913 Webster]

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Scourging
   (1 Kings 12:11). Variously administered. In no case were the
   stripes to exceed forty (Deut. 25:3; comp. 2 Cor. 11:24). In the
   time of the apostles, in consequence of the passing of what was
   called the Porcian law, no Roman citizen could be scourged in
   any case (Acts 16:22-37). (See BASTINADO.) In the
   scourging of our Lord (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15) the words of
   prophecy (Isa. 53:5) were fulfilled.