yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic)
to tattoo a criminal around the eye (ancient Japanese punishment)
Archaic yodan verb referring to a specific historical penal tattooing practice. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical descriptions.
古代日本では、罪人の目の周りに黥く刑罰があった。
In ancient Japan, there was a punishment of tattooing around the criminal's eye.