The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whala \Whala\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whaled; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Whaling.] [Cf. Wale. ]
   To lash with stripes; to wale; to thrash; to drub. [Prov.
   Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] --Halliwell. Bartlett.
   [1913 Webster]