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countable and uncountable, plural birches
Any of various trees of the genus Betula, native to countries in the Northern Hemisphere. examples
A hard wood taken from the birch tree, typically used to make furniture. examples
A stick, rod or bundle of twigs made from birch wood, used for punishment. examples
A birch-bark canoe. examples
third-person singular simple present birches, present participle birching, simple past and past participle birched
To punish with a stick, bundle of twigs, or rod made of birch wood. examples
To punish as though one were using a stick, bundle of twigs, or rod made of birch wood. quotations examples
That the morrow would see us arraigned 'fore the Head And probably birched with a willow
1902, M. M. Read, “The Midnight Feast”, in The Boy's Own Annual, volume 25, page 63
[…] and was tied to a tree and soundly birched with a bundle of furze
2012, Charles J. Esdaile, Outpost of Empire: The Napoleonic Occupation of Andalucia, 1810–1812, page 319
The Mexica were always washing, in water obtained through the aqueduct, or in the lake, and would often go to the popular baths in the numerous stone steam houses (where birching, with grasses, or massage was also available).
2013, Hugh Thomas, Conquest: Cortes, Montezuma, and the Fall of Old Mexico, page 292