poach
To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits or for salmon.
1. To stab; to pierce; to spear, as fish.
2. To force, drive, or plunge into anything. His horse poching one of his legs into some hollow ground. (Sir W. Temple)
3. To make soft or muddy by trampling
4. To begin and not complete.
Origin: Cf. OF. Pocher to thrust or dig out with the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. Pouce thumb, L. Pollex, and also E. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to thrust against.
Dictionary > Poach
