The Ducking Stool was a historical punishment device used primarily in the late medieval and early modern periods. It consisted of a long beam with a seat at one end, where the accused would be strapped in. The other end was attached to a pivot, allowing the seat to be dunked into a body of water, often as a form of public humiliation for women accused of witchcraft or other offenses. This method of punishment was intended to instill fear and deter others from committing similar acts. The Ducking Stool is often associated with the broader context of societal control and the treatment of women during times of moral panic, particularly in relation to the witch hunts of the European and American past.