Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for food.

2. (n.) A slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as in battle.

3. (v. t.) To kill or slaughter (animals) for food, or for market; as, to butcher hogs.

4. (v. t.) To murder, or kill, especially in an unusually bloody or barbarous manner.