Lewis & Short

1. pŏpŭlātĭo, ōnis, f. [populor], a laying waste, ravaging, plundering, spoiling, devastation, etc. (not in Cic.).

  1. I. Lit.: populationem effuse facere, Liv. 2, 64.
    In plur.: populationibus incursionibusque, Liv. 3, 3 fin.: hostem rapinis, pabulationibus populationibusque prohibere, Caes. B. G. 1, 15.
    1. B. Transf.
      1. 1. Concr., things plundered, plunder, booty: Veientes pleni populationum, Liv. 2, 43.
      2. 2. A ravaging, destroying done by animals: a populatione murium formicarumque frumenta defendere, Col. 2, 20; so, volucrum, id. 3, 21.
  2. II. Trop., destruction, corruption, ruin (post-Aug.): morum, Plin. 9, 34, 53, § 104; of ruin through luxury, Col. 1, 5, 7.