To hit someone or something repeatedly with fists or similar force; to beat or strike over and over.
From Old French 'pomeler' meaning to strike repeatedly with a pommel (the rounded end of a sword handle). The word originally literally meant striking with the pommel of a weapon.
Medieval knights would actually pommel their enemies with the blunt rounded end of their sword handles when they were too exhausted to slash anymore—it was considered a legitimate combat technique!
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