poach

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈpōch 

poached; poaching; poaches

transitive verb

: to cook in simmering liquid

poach

2 of 2

verb (2)

poached; poaching; poaches

intransitive verb

1

: to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something

2

: to trespass for the purpose of stealing game

also : to take game or fish illegally

transitive verb

1

: to trespass on

a field poached too frequently by the amateur

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2

a

: to take (game or fish) by illegal methods

b

: to appropriate (something) as one's own

c

: to attract (someone, such as an employee or customer) away from a competitor

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• boil
• coddle
• parboil
• simmer
• stew

Examples of poach in a Sentence

Verb (1)

poaching fish in a stock flavored with white wine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2018, Apple poached Giannandrea from Google, a move that Cook told me showed that Apple anticipated the coming AI transformation. —Steven Levy, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

Smith would look and search for the smoke-phase hen, wondering if the bird was still alive, and he would always be relieved to discover it hadn’t been poached or eaten. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2024

Since 2006, zero elephant poaching incidents have been recorded, a testament to the effectiveness of the project’s ranger patrols and conservation strategies. —Suwanna Gauntlett, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Each piece is full of the poaching liquid, fortifying the chicken with its own juice and fat. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English pocchen, from Middle French pocher, from Old French poché poached, literally, bagged, from poche bag, pocket — more at pouch

Verb (2)

Middle French pocher, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle English poken to poke

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing poach

• poach on someone's territory/turf

Kids Definition

poach

1 of 2 verb

ˈpōch 

: to cook in simmering liquid

poached eggs

poach

2 of 2 verb

: to hunt or fish unlawfully

poacher noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English pochen "to boil an egg without its shell so that the white covers the yolk like a bag," from early French pocher (same meaning), from earlier pochier, literally, "to put into a bag," from poche "bag, pocket"

Verb

from early French pocher "to hunt or fish unlawfully"