Gauntlet

Gauntlet has two meanings. Firstly a gauntlet is a kind of glove. The gauntlet was also a type of challenge in Native Indian culture. Men would line up in two straight rows, often with mild weapons like switches, and a single man would run down the middle. This practice fell out of favor as barbaric having lead to many deaths.

Expressions

To "throw down the gauntlet," or "fling down the gauntlet" is an idiomatic expression that means to issue a challenge.