Sentence:  By degrees they became noisier and noisier, their conversation principally turning on that infernal naval lieutenant, as they were pleased to designate me, and what they intended to do with him. Some suggested “<WSD>keelhauling</WSD>” him; others, a dose of his favourite cat-o'nine tails; whilst many advised making a target of him for a little practice with that revolver which had previously so cowed them all. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To punish by dragging under the keel of a ship.