The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for food.
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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.Butcher's meat, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton, lamb, and pork.
Usage examples of "butcher's meat".
He felt both his arms fall to the bubblepak with distant thuds, like severed butcher's meat.
Raw butcher's meat was never fresh enough: it had known the coldness of death and refrigeration, and had lost all vital essence.
Mebbee he heard o' gay and festive doin's--chickin every day, fresh eggs, butcher's meat, port wine, and sich!