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