Slaughter \Slaugh"ter\, n. [OE. slautir, slaughter, slaghter, Icel. sl[=a]tr slain flesh, modified by OE. slaught, slaht, slaughter, fr. AS. sleaht a stroke, blow; both from the root of E. slay. See Slay, v. t., and cf. Onslaught.]

The act of killing. Specifically:
   (a) The extensive, violent, bloody, or wanton destruction of life; carnage.

On war and mutual slaughter bent. --Milton.
   (b) The act of killing cattle or other beasts for market.

Syn: Carnage; massacre; butchery; murder; havoc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Slaughter \Slaugh"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slaughtered; p. pr. & vb. n. Slaughtering.]

1. To visit with great destruction of life; to kill; to slay in battle.

Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes Savagely slaughtered. --Shak.

2. To butcher; to kill for the market, as beasts.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)