verbicide

noun

ver·​bi·​cide ˈvər-bə-ˌsīd 

1

: deliberate distortion of the sense of a word (as in punning)

2

: one who distorts the sense of a word

Word History

Etymology

Latin verbum "word, verb entry 1" + -i- + -cide

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1