Beheading

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

beheading
    n 1: execution by cutting off the victim's head [syn:
         {decapitation}, {beheading}]
    2: killing by cutting off the head [syn: {decapitation},
       {beheading}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Behead \Be*head"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beheaded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Beheading}.] [OE. bihefden, AS. behe['a]fdian; pref. be-
   + he['a]fod head. See {Head}.]
   To sever the head from; to take off the head of.
   [1913 Webster]