Lewis & Short

ob-torquĕo, si, tum, 2, v. a.

  1. I. To turn towards; to turn: obtorque prorim, Att. ap. Non. 200, 33 (Trag. Rel. v. 575 Rib.): dextrasque obtorquet in undas Proram, Stat. Th. 5, 414.
  2. II. To turn round, twist, writhe, wrench (esp. the neck; rare, and class. only in the part. perf.)): collum, Aur. Vict. Vir. Ill. 66: obtorto collo ad praetorem trahor, i. e. dragged violently by the throat, Plaut. Poen. 3, 5, 45; id. Rud. 3, 6, 16: ut illum collo obtorto ad subsellia reduceret, Cic. Clu. 21, 59 (for which: torquere collum, Liv. 4, 53, 8): obtorta gulā in vincula abripi jussit, by the throat, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 10, § 24: obtorto valgiter labello, twisted, contorted, Petr. Fragm. ap. Fulg. p. 566, 2: obtorti circulus auri, twisted, wreathed, Verg. A. 5, 559: cardines, App. M. 3, p. 151, 22.