from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Poach \Poach\ (p[=o]ch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poached}
(p[=o]cht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Poaching}.] [F. pocher to place
in a pocket, to poach eggs (the yolk of the egg being as it
were pouched in the white), from poche pocket, pouch. See
{Pouch}, v. & n.]
1. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water;
also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
2. To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as
game; hence, to plunder. --Garth.
[1913 Webster]