I. ˈbu̇chə(r), dial sporadically ˈbüch- also ˈbəch- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English bocher, from Old French bochier, bouchier, from bouc he-goat, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish bocc he-goat, Welsh bwch — more at buck
1. : one who slaughters animals or dresses the flesh of animals, fish, or poultry for market ; also : a dealer in meat
2. : one that kills ruthlessly or brutally or bloodily
oh pardon me … that I am meek and gentle with these butchers — Shakespeare
3. : an unskillful or careless workman : botcher
4. : a hog suitable for slaughter for general table purposes usually as distinguished from light porkers and from very heavy hogs chiefly fit for the sausage trade
5. : a vendor especially on trains or in theaters
candy butcher
II. transitive verb
( butchered ; butchered ; butchering -ch(ə)riŋ ; butchers )
1. : to slaughter and dress for market
butcher hogs
2. : to kill in a bloody barbarous, or cruel manner
3. : botch
butcher a text
butcher a musical composition
III. adjective
Etymology: butcher (II)
of animals : suitable for butchering