Poach — Defs

01 v. t. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel.

imp. & p. p. Poached; p. pr. & vb. n. Poaching

1.
To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel.
2.
To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as game; hence, to plunder.

02 v. i. 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 …

1.
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.

03 v. t. To stab; to pierce; to spear, as fish.

1.
To stab; to pierce; to spear, as fish.[Obs.]
2.
To force, drive, or plunge into anything.[Obs.]
“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.[Obs.]

04 v. i. To become soft or muddy.

1.
To become soft or muddy.
“Chalky and clay lands . . . chap in summer, and poach in winter.” — Mortimer.