one who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for food.-a slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as in battle.-to kill or slaughter (animals) for food, or for market; as, to butcher hogs.-to murder, or kill, especially in an unusually bloody or barbarous manner.