Definition of to tar and feather in English English dictionary
To cover a person in sticky tar, then covered in feathers which stick to the tar. An archaic means of humiliating a person
they'd be along pretty soon and give me 'bout half an hour's start, and then run me down if they could; and if they got me they'd tar and feather me and ride me on a rail, sure. I didn't wait for no breakfast--I warn't hungry.