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 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

poach

²

/ pəʊtʃ /

verb

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

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

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

Origin of poach²

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

Example Sentences

Fulmer, who had been serving as an ambassador for Vols football since 2009, took over as athletic director and soon poached Pruitt from Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama.

From Washington Post

Tourism had lessened people’s need to poach wildlife for money or food and encouraged them to see animals as an asset rather than a threat.

From Quartz

Finishing off the giant turkey took less time and work than I imagined — if anything, it made deciding what to eat easier, and there was no need to keep poaching chickens for a few weeks.

From Eater

Video game publisher Activision Blizzard sued Netflix, claiming the video-streaming service engaged in a yearslong campaign of unlawfully poaching executives, including by hiring its former chief financial officer.

From Fortune

At a time when title contenders often have to play defense to prevent their star talent from being poached, the reigning champions went out and almost certainly made themselves better.

From FiveThirtyEight

I try not to think about the cold years ahead, when time will slowly poach my youth and my body will begin its untoward changes.

From The Daily Beast

Both are models for the type of newsperson Al Jazeera is trying to poach.

From The Daily Beast

Directing her to disrobe, she would poach her in herbs in a hot tub and then literally electrify her.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, there will be lots of clients and agents and turf to poach or protect if this deal goes through.

From The Daily Beast

To form cutlets similar to the fillet cutlets, place them in a frying-pan, and let them poach in water.

From Project Gutenberg

Drop these carefully into very hot water, and poach them gently for a few minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

A pretty pass of impudence to be coming that distance to poach.'

From Project Gutenberg

He could hardly even poach an egg, and hadn't the smallest idea of cooking.

From Project Gutenberg

Poach′er, one who poaches or steals game: the widgeon, from its habit of stealing the prey of other ducks; Poach′ing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• smuggle