Sometimes using the asterisk in a word means that the person wants to convey on something that should be taken lightly and/or if the word is bad to the ear ex. private parts of the body, swear, or a word that may offend someone without the intention of doing so hence they replace the letters with the asterisk. I don't think it is a sign of disrespect. Just my views.
We all know the normal usage of asterisk is used to mark words for reference or distinction or to indicate a hypothetical form or to fillup space in a line where somethng is omitted. But *** are used by some in making informal letters. This is not used in the corporate letters or correspondences.
