poacher

¹ American  

[poh-cher] / ˈpoʊ tʃər /

noun

1. a person who trespasses on private property, especially to catch fish or game illegally.

2. Also called sea-poacher.  any of several slender, marine fishes of the family Agonidae, found chiefly in deeper waters of the North Pacific, having the body covered with bony plates.

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poacher ² American  

[poh-cher] / ˈpoʊ tʃər /

noun

1. a pan having a tight-fitting lid and metal cups for steaming or poaching poach poaching eggs.

2. any dish or pan used for poaching poach poaching food, especially a baking dish for poaching poach poaching fish.

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poacher ¹ British  

/ ˈpəʊtʃə /

noun

1. a person who illegally hunts game, fish, etc, on someone else's property

2. someone whose occupation or behaviour is the opposite of what it previously was, such as a burglar who now advises on home security

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poacher ² British  

/ ˈpəʊtʃə /

noun

1. a metal pan with individual cups for poaching eggs

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Etymology

Origin of poacher¹

First recorded in 1660–70; poach ² + -er ¹

Origin of poacher²

First recorded in 1860–65; poach ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Kruger, one of Africa's biggest national parks, lost 175 rhinos to poachers in 2025, following 88 reported the previous year, the environment ministry said in a statement.

From Barron's

The France forward dragged his side level with a poacher's finish - then fired them in front with a quick-fire second before half-time, much to the delight of manager Arne Slot.

From BBC

A fellow ranger, former poacher Festus Benjamin, 31, told AFP he now educates his peers on the value of preserving the park's wildlife.

From Barron's

But he is a poacher in a differing mould to the towering Nick Woltemade, who likes to come in deep.

From BBC

The females, however, are not followed in order to keep them more wary of poachers.

From Barron's