Butch"er*y (?), n. [OE. bocherie shambles, fr. F. boucherie. See Butcher, n.]
1.
The business of a butcher.
[Obs.]
2.
Murder or manslaughter, esp. when committed with unusual barbarity; great or cruel slaughter.
Shak.
The perpetration of human butchery.
Prescott.
3.
A slaughterhouse; the shambles; a place where blood is shed.
[Obs.]
Like as an ox is hanged in the butchery.
Fabyan.
Syn. -- Murder; slaughter; carnage. See Massacre.
© Webster 1913.