slaughter

Main Entry: ¹slaugh·ter 

Pronunciation: \ˈslȯ-tər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slātra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slēan to slay — more at slay

Date: 14th century

1 : the act of killing; specifically : the butchering of livestock for market
2 : killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre) : carnage