Nope, it definitely means something else. The language FDev uses for Elite is odd and different from when they talk of their other games. And DB I believe had at one time (in an interview maybe) stated something to the effect of it being for everything from their digital books to demo licenses. What it certainly didn't and doesn't mean is the number of customers or individual game sales. They've been very clear on this since day 1.
But none of this really matters if the question by the OP for "total sales" is really asking: 1. how successful has the game been or 2. how many individuals play. No can answer #2 especially with a number of CMDRs saying they have 2-3-4 licenses each now. FDev are keeping this a secret and have never released any detail on player stats which itself is somewhat odd or makes you ask why not as many other companies have released this info especially for successful titles. And the way FDev hypes things up you'd also expect them to certainly hype the detail if it was indeed impressive. As for #1, well, for a niche, indie-developed, low budget, player-funded (KS), game it's been successful but certainly not in the league of AA or AAA titles.
