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.
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   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.
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   Butcher's meat, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food
      as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton,
      lamb, and pork.
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