A man is accused of killing his stepfather using the bullying manoeuvre known as the 'atomic wedgie'.

Brad Davis, 33, fought with Denver Lee St. Clair, 58, at St. Clair's home in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma on December 21, The Oklahoman reported.

The pair exchanged punches before David allegedly suffocated St. Clair with his own underwear while striking him in the head.

A coroner said the death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation. It was ruled a homicide.

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Davis told police he had give St. Clair an 'atomic wedgie' after hearing him insulting his mother.

The former marine said an argument turned physical, with St. Clair throwing the first punch.

An 'atomic wedgie' is when an aggressor pulls the elastic of a person's underwear up over their head.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth told The Oklahoman he'd never heard of the manoeuvre before the incident.

"I'd never seen this before, but when we first looked at our victim seeing the waistband of his underwear was around his neck," he said.

Davis has been arrested and is being held on a homicide charge.

- nzherald.co.nz