The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Wholesale \Whole"sale`\, n.
   Sale of goods by the piece or large quantity, as
   distinguished from retail.
   [1913 Webster]

   By wholesale, in the mass; in large quantities; without
      distinction or discrimination.
      [1913 Webster]

            Some, from vanity or envy, despise a valuable book,
            and throw contempt upon it by wholesale. --I. Watts.
      [1913 Webster]