Dictionary entry

Poach

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Poach (pōch), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Poached (pōcht); p. pr. & vb. n.Poaching.] [F. pocher to place in a pocket, to poach eggs (the yolk of the egg being as it were pouched in the white), from poche pocket, pouch. See Pouch, v. & n.] 1. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel. Bacon.

2. To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as game; hence, to plunder. Garth.