The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Amputate \Am"pu*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amputated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Amputating.] [L. amputatus, p. p. of amputare: amb-
   + putare to prune, putus clean, akin to E. pure. See
   Putative.]
   1. To prune or lop off, as branches or tendrils.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Surg.) To cut off (a limb or projecting part of the
      body). --Wiseman.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

amputate
    v 1: remove surgically; "amputate limbs" [syn: amputate, cut
         off]