burker

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

One who burkes; one who murders in order to sell the body to an anatomist, surgeon, etc.

Register: slang

Examples

Science was in league with the "burkers" and "body-snatchers," […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “burker” mean?

One who burkes; one who murders in order to sell the body to an anatomist, surgeon, etc.

Is “burker” formal or informal?

burker is generally slang.