One of the many forms of terrorism (in the form of torture) used by the US military in the "service" of putting an end to terrorism. Waterboarding (called "
water torture" in the 16th century and used to test the witchiness of witches) involves holding a person down, covering their face with fabric, then pouring water on the fabric. The wet fabric makes it
impossible to breath and the person feel as if they are about to drown, thus freaking them out
to the extent that they will do just about anything to avoid more torture.