suru verb (special), transitive verb
expose a severed head
Archaic term for the historical punishment of displaying a decapitated head in public, often on a pike or gibbet. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
戦国時代には、敵将の首を梟することがあった。
In the Warring States period, they would sometimes expose the severed head of an enemy general.
晒す is a common modern verb meaning 'to expose' or 'to air out' in a general sense, while 梟する is an archaic term specifically for exposing a severed head as punishment.
From 梟 (きょう, 'owl') + する. The kanji 梟 refers to an owl, and the verb likely derives from the ancient Chinese practice of displaying heads, associated with owls eating the remains. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.