人肉 is short for 人肉搜索 ('human-flesh search'), a 2000s-era Chinese internet phenomenon: forum users collectively crowdsource a stranger's identity, address, and workplace from photos or video clips. It started as vigilante justice (catching cheaters or animal abusers) but has also weaponized into harassment campaigns. Today the verb means 'dox' generally.
usage
Don't confuse with literal 人肉 'human flesh' (e.g. 人肉包子 in folk horror stories). Context disambiguates instantly. Related modern term: 开盒 (literally 'open the box'), a newer slang for the same action that gained traction around 2023.
