poach
UK: pəʊtʃ | US: poʊtʃ
vt. to cook (an egg without its shell, or food like fish or fruit) in simmering liquid
vt. to illegally hunt or catch game or fish on someone else's property
vi. (of an animal) to tread or trample ground into mud
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The word "poach" entered English in the late 14th century from Old French pochier ("to poke out, encroach, trespass"), likely derived from a Germanic root related to "pouch" or "poke." The culinary sense (cooking in liquid) emerged in the 15th century, possibly from the idea of "poking" an egg into boiling water. The hunting/fishing sense reflects the original meaning of trespassing on another's land to steal game.
She likes to poach eggs for breakfast.
The farmer caught hunters trying to poach deer on his land.
Overfishing has led to stricter laws against poaching endangered species.
The marsh was poached by cattle, leaving the ground muddy.
He skillfully poached pears in red wine for dessert.