Definition of Poach

1. Verb. Hunt illegally. "The men poach for animals in the area"; "People are poaching elephants for their ivory"

Generic synonyms: Hunt, Hunt Down, Run, Track Down
Derivative terms: Poacher

2. Verb. Cook in a simmering liquid. "The chefs poach the vegetables"; "Poached apricots"
Generic synonyms: Cook
Derivative terms: Poacher, Poaching

Definition of Poach

1. v. t. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel.

2. v. i. To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits or for salmon.

3. v. t. To stab; to pierce; to spear, \as fish.

4. v. i. To become soft or muddy.

Definition of Poach

1. Verb. (transitive) to cook something in simmering water ¹

2. Verb. To become soft or muddy. ¹

3. Verb. To make soft or muddy. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive intransitive) to take game or fish illegally while trespassing on someone's property ¹

5. Verb. (transitive intransitive) to take anything illegally or unfairly ¹

6. Verb. (transitive intransitive) to cause an employee or customer to switch from a competing company to your own company ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Poach

1. to trespass for the purpose of taking game or fish [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Medical Definition of Poach

1. To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits or for salmon. 1. To stab; to pierce; to spear, as fish. 2. To force, drive, or plunge into anything. "His horse poching one of his legs into some hollow ground." (Sir W. Temple) 3. To make soft or muddy by trampling 4. To begin and not complete. Origin: Cf. OF. Pocher to thrust or dig out with the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. Pouce thumb, L. Pollex, and also E. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to thrust against. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Poach

pnictogen
pnictogenide
pnictogens
pnigalion
pnigophobia
pnology
po'
po' boy
po' boys
po'boy
po'boys
po-faced
po-po
poa
poaceous
poach (current term)
poachable
poachard
poached
poached egg
poached eggs
poacher
poacher turned gamekeeper
poachers
poachers turned gamekeepers
poaches
poachier
poachiest
poachiness
poaching

Literary usage of Poach

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A New System of Domestic Cookery: Formed Upon Principles of Economy and by Maria Eliza Ketelby Rundell (1824)
"To poach Eggs. Set a stew-pan of water on the fire; when boiling, slip an egg, ... If not fresh- laid, they will not poach well, and without breaking. ..."

2. The Poetical Works of John Dryden by John Dryden (1909)
"... poach'd in rhyme; We must lie down, and, after all our cost, Keep holiday, like watermen in frost; Whilst you turn players on the world's great stage, ..."

3. Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary, Historical and by John Stephen Farmer, William Ernest Henley (1902)
"... to palm ; to parlor-jump ; to pay with a hook ; to pinch ; to poach ; to poll ; to pug ; to pull ; to purchase ; to ramp ; to rent ; to respun (tinker) ..."

4. Lives of the Queens of England, from the Norman Conquest: With Anecdotes of by Agnes Strickland, Elizabeth Strickland (1843)
"... it is the besetting sin of your people; I verily believe, that if I were dressed in hare-skin, they would poach me." ' The queen then gave orders that, ..."

5. A New System of Domestic Cookery: Formed Upon Principles of Economy and by Maria Eliza Ketelby Rundell (1824)
"To poach Eggs. Set a stew-pan of water on the fire; when boiling, slip an egg, ... If not fresh- laid, they will not poach well, and without breaking. ..."

6. The Poetical Works of John Dryden by John Dryden (1909)
"... poach'd in rhyme; We must lie down, and, after all our cost, Keep holiday, like watermen in frost; Whilst you turn players on the world's great stage, ..."

7. Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary, Historical and by John Stephen Farmer, William Ernest Henley (1902)
"... to palm ; to parlor-jump ; to pay with a hook ; to pinch ; to poach ; to poll ; to pug ; to pull ; to purchase ; to ramp ; to rent ; to respun (tinker) ..."

8. Lives of the Queens of England, from the Norman Conquest: With Anecdotes of by Agnes Strickland, Elizabeth Strickland (1843)
"... it is the besetting sin of your people; I verily believe, that if I were dressed in hare-skin, they would poach me." ' The queen then gave orders that, ..."

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