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 recent years, the U.S. has pursued policies designed to prevent Chinese scientists from taking U.S.-based technology to their home country and to prevent China from poaching star science talent. —Eric Baculinao, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

By 2013, President Obama himself poached Sullivan to work in the White House as then vice president Biden’s national security adviser. —Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024

Opt for lower-heat cooking methods like steaming or poaching. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

Clearly Kane would have been much better off if the judgment had arrived a year or two ago. Don’t fall for the trickle-down myth Soccer fans will be worried that this means financial ruin for their club and increases inequality as the big clubs poach the big stars. —Stefan Szymanski, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 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"