poach

¹

[ pohch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cook (eggs, fish, fruits, etc.) in a hot liquid that is kept just below the boiling point.

poach

²

[ pohch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to trespass on (private property), especially in order to hunt or fish.
2. to steal (game or fish) from another's property.
3. to take without permission and use as one's own:

   to poach ideas;

   a staff poached from other companies.

4. to break or tear up by trampling.
5. to mix with water and reduce to a uniform consistency, as clay.

verb (used without object)

1. to trespass, especially on another's game preserve, in order to steal animals or to hunt.
2. to take game or fish illegally.
3. (of land) to become broken up or slushy by being trampled.
4. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to play a ball hit into the territory of one's partner that is properly the partner's ball to play.
5. Informal. to cheat in a game or contest.

poach

¹

/ pəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to simmer (eggs, fish, etc) very gently in water, milk, stock, etc

poach

²

/ pəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to catch (game, fish, etc) illegally by trespassing on private property
2. to encroach on or usurp (another person's rights, duties, etc) or steal (an idea, employee, etc)
3. tennis badminton to take or play (shots that should belong to one's partner)
4. to break up (land) into wet muddy patches, as by riding over it, or (of land) to become broken up in this way
5. intr (of the feet, shoes, etc) to sink into heavy wet ground

Other Words From

• poacha·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poach¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun poche “poached eggs (in sauce),” from Old French pochié, past participle of pochier “to bag (the yolk inside the white),” derivative of poche “bag, pocket,” from Middle Dutch poke poke ²

Origin of poach²

First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin; perhaps from earlier meaning “to shove, thrust,” from Middle French pocher “to gouge,” from Germanic; akin to poke ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of poach¹

C15: from Old French pochier to enclose in a bag (as the yolks are enclosed by the whites); compare poke ²

Origin of poach²

C17: from Old French pocher, of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch poken to prod; see poke ¹

Example Sentences

Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and south western China but have become an endangered species, mainly due to habitat loss, human interference and poaching.

From BBC

He was poached from Fox News in late 2021 at a salary said to be in the range of $8 million a year.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the years, habitat loss, poaching and collisions with overhead power lines have effected great Indian bustards.

From BBC

It is estimated the species, found in forested areas of Kenya, could be extinct in the wild within two decades after years of poaching.

From BBC

In the film, Ellyanne reports on her favourite animal - elephants - and says that drought caused by changing weather patterns now poses a greater threat to their survival than poaching.

From BBC

Related Words

• smuggle