butcher

Where does the word "butcher" come from? It comes from Old French bouc, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Butcher’s story begins in Old French: bouc meant “male goat.” A he-goat, from a Germanic or Celtic word related to 'buck'. Within Old French, it grew into bochier by medieval. Originally one who slaughtered goats, then any meat-seller. It reached English by 1200s as butcher. The verb 'to butcher', to botch or massacre, followed in the 1500s. Today, butcher means a person who cuts and sells meat; to kill brutally or ruin.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval bouc "male goat", a he-goat, from a Germanic or Celtic word related to 'buck'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval bochier "goat-slaughterer", originally one who slaughtered goats, then any meat-seller.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s butcher "a meat-seller", the verb 'to butcher', to botch or massacre, followed in the 1500s.