Clobbering

In computing, clobbering is the act of overwriting a resource such as a file, processor register or a region of memory, such that its content is lost. Generally, the term is used in the context of unintentional loss of information, but it can be used for intentional overwriting as well. The Jargon File defines clobbering as

To overwrite, usually unintentionally: "I walked off the end of the array and clobbered the stack." Compare mung, scribble, trash, and smash the stack.

The term originated in pottery, where clobbering is a traditional term for the deceptive and fraudulent later addition of decoration to an originally plain piece. This was especially done to Chinese porcelain, but also European wares.