h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The most common meaning of this word is as applied to people - either throwing themselves out or being thrown out. This was very common form of death in some of the middle-european countries.

Surely one of the best examples must be the notorious 'Defenestration of Prague', where someone or other's (not Prague's, though) forced exit by the window from a great height was the stated reason for the opening of hostilities in May 1618, that went on to last 30 years and were subsequently and suitably named by historians 'The Thirty Years War'.

In any case, it is a terrific word!