VocabDictionary

poaching

/ˈpoʊ.tʃɪŋ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The illegal practice of trespassing on another's property to hunt, fish, or harvest vegetation without permission.

Example Sentences:
  • The national park has increased patrols to combat the poaching of endangered rhinos.
  • Poaching remains a significant threat to the local salmon population.
2.noun

A method of cooking food, such as eggs or fish, by gently simmering it in a liquid like water, milk, or wine.

Example Sentences:
  • Poaching is a healthy way to prepare salmon without adding extra fats.
  • She mastered the art of poaching eggs to achieve a perfectly runny yolk.
3.noun

The act of unfairly enticing away employees, clients, or players from a competitor or another organization.

Example Sentences:
  • The tech giant was accused of aggressive poaching of engineers from smaller startups.
  • The football club faced sanctions for the illegal poaching of a young player under contract.
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Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “poaching”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term originates from the Middle English 'pocchen,' derived from the Old French 'pochier,' meaning 'to poke' or 'to put into a bag' (poche). In a culinary sense, it referred to the way an egg white forms a pocket for the yolk. By the 16th century, the term evolved to describe the illegal taking of game from another's land, metaphorically 'pocketing' property that did not belong to the hunter.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'poaching' as 'pocketing'—whether you are pocketing an egg in hot water or pocketing a deer from someone else's land.

Frequently Asked Questions About “poaching

1. What is the meaning of “poaching” in English?

In English, poaching (noun) is defined as: “The illegal practice of trespassing on another's property to hunt, fish, or harvest vegetation without permission.”.

2. How do you use “poaching” in a sentence?

The national park has increased patrols to combat the poaching of endangered rhinos.

3. What are English synonyms of “poaching”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “poaching”?

The term originates from the Middle English 'pocchen,' derived from the Old French 'pochier,' meaning 'to poke' or 'to put into a bag' (poche). In a culinary sense, it referred to the way an egg white forms a pocket for the yolk. By the 16th century, the term evolved to describe the illegal taking of game from another's land, metaphorically 'pocketing' property that did not belong to the hunter.