poaching Definition

poach¹
verb poaches, poached, poaching

1. To cook (an egg without its shell) in or over boiling water.
2. To simmer (fish) in milk or other liquid.

Etymology: 15c: from French pocher to pocket (referring to the egg yolk inside the white), from poche pocket.

---

poach²
verb poaches, poached, poaching

tr & intr
1. To catch (game or fish) illegally on someone else's property.
2. To steal (ideas, etc).
3. To lure away (personnel at a rival business, etc) to work for one.
4. To intrude on (another's territory or area of responsibility).

Form: poach on something (usually)

Etymology: 17c: from French pocher to gouge.

---

poaching
noun

1. Cooking by gentle simmering.
2. The activity of a poacher (sense 2); stealing.