Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - wholesale

 I. noun  Date: 15th century the sale of commodities in quantity usually for resale (as by a retail merchant)  II. adjective  Date: 1642  1. performed or existing on a large scale especially without discrimination ~ slaughter  2. of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities in quantity for resale a ~ grocer  III. adverb  Date: 1732 in a ~ manner  IV. verb  (~d; wholesaling)  Date: 1800  transitive verb to sell (something) in quantity usually for resale  intransitive verb to sell in quantity usually for resale