メツ, ほろ.びる, ほろ.ぶ, ほろ.ぼす

destroy, ruin, overthrow, perish

JLPT1 G7 S13 F1222

is (exterminate) + fire → exterminate a fire. is # + water → exterminate/*destroy* by water → *annihilate*; *ruin*; *collapse*; *perish*; *die out*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]