An instrument of torture formerly used in Scotland, consisting of a tight-fitting iron case in which a person's leg is enclosed, iron wedges being then driven between the case and the leg; = "boot".
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Marston (bap. 1576, d. 1634), poet and playwright.
Definition of Scotch boot in US English:
Scotch boot
noun
historical
An instrument of torture formerly used in Scotland, consisting of a tight-fitting iron case in which a person's leg is enclosed, iron wedges being then driven between the case and the leg; = "boot".
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Marston (bap. 1576, d. 1634), poet and playwright.