tar

A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.

A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion.

To coat with or as if with tar.

(tar and feather) To punish (a person) by covering with tar and feathers.

(tar and feather) To criticize severely and devastatingly; excoriate.