A “people eater” is a term that can have several meanings depending on context:

• In folklore and wildlife discussions: a man-eater or people-eater refers to an animal that hunts and regularly preys on humans, such as certain big cats, bears, crocodilians, or other large predators. It implies a sustained pattern of predation on people rather than occasional or incidental incidents.

• In popular culture and fiction: a people eater can denote a fictional creature or villain that consumes or intends to consume humans. Examples vary by story or media and are often used for dramatic or horror effects.

• As a linguistic term: “people-eater” can be used metaphorically to describe a person or entity that preys on others, such as a force or system that exploits people (e.g., parasites, oppressive regimes, or predatory institutions).

If you’re looking for a specific usage (e.g., a movie, a creature in a novel, or a real-world animal case), tell me the context and I’ll tailor the explanation with examples.