Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
WHALE
I. noun (plural whales)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwæl; akin to Old High German hwal whale and perhaps to Latin squalus sea fish Date: before 12th century cetacean , one that is impressive especially in size , whalelike adjective
II. intransitive verb (whaled; whaling)
Date: 1700
to engage in whale fishing,
III. transitive verb (whaled; whaling)
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1790
lash , thrash , to strike or hit vigorously, to defeat soundly