from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Butcher \Butch"er\ (b[.u]ch"[~e]r), n. [OE. bochere, bochier,
OF. bochier, F. boucher, orig., slaughterer of buck goats,
fr. OF. boc, F. bouc, a buck goat; of German or Celtic
origin. See {Buck} the animal.]
1. One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for
market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for
food.
[1913 Webster]
2. A slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with
unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as
in battle. "Butcher of an innocent child." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
{Butcher's meat}, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food
as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton,
lamb, and pork.
[1913 Webster]