Caning is a form of corporal punishment that consists of administering strikes (known as "strokes") to the body with what is typically a rattan cane. Generally this is applied to the recipient's bare or clothed buttocks (see spanking), however caning may also applied to the soles of the feet (see bastinado) and the palms of the hand; caning on the knuckles and shoulders is considerably less common. Caning can be done consensually as part of erotic spanking.
The size and flexibility of a cane vary, as can the number of strokes administered. The sensation of a stroke from the cane is a sharp sting, followed by a lingering burn. The cane can effectively deliver sharp, intense strokes without requiring excessive force. Welts, ranging from light to intense (depending on the force of the stroke), are commonly associated with the cane.