1st. To make a bad government, direction or conduction; impair the task of a ruler. See prefix des- , govern . 2º_ Dislocating or disjointing a bone. It was a common practice to prevent the escape of slaves and prisoners, mutilating part of their feet. It's also making a movement that seems to dislocate a joint in the body. 3º_ By extension of the previous one, "to unshackle", "to break or ruin something".
