from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Paunch \Paunch\ (p[add]nch or p[aum]nch; 277), n. [OF. panch,
pance, F. panse, L. pantex, panticis.]
1. (Anat.) The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the
first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See {Rumen}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) A paunch mat; -- called also {panch}.
[1913 Webster]
3. The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper.
[1913 Webster]
4. A noticeably protruding belly; a potbelly.
[PJC]
{Paunch mat} (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope,
used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing.
[1913 Webster]