Pronunciation: [pˈə͡ʊt͡ʃɪz] (IPA) 
The word "poaches" is spelled with the letters P-O-A-C-H-E-S. Its phonetic transcription is /pəʊtʃɪz/. The first sound, /p/, is followed by the vowel sound /əʊ/, which is pronounced like "oh". The consonant sound /tʃ/ is spelled "ch" and is followed by the short vowel sound /ɪ/ as in "hit". The final sound is pronounced as a voiceless /z/. "Poaches" is a verb that means to cook something, usually eggs or fish, by simmering in liquid.
Poaches is a verb that can have multiple definitions based on its context. In the culinary sense, poaching refers to the method of cooking food gently in a liquid such as water, broth, or wine, usually at a low temperature below the boiling point. The process involves immersing the food item (often eggs, fish, or poultry) into the simmering liquid until it is cooked to the desired level of doneness, resulting in a tender and moist texture.
In a different context, to poach can refer to the illegal act of hunting or capturing wildlife, especially protected species, without authorization. This illicit activity is usually carried out for purposes such as selling their parts (like ivory or fur) for profit or engaging in exotic food trade. Poaching can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, leading to the decline or extinction of certain animal populations and disrupting the delicate balance of nature.
Furthermore, poaches can also mean to encroach or trespass on someone else's territory, domain, or right. This can occur in various scenarios, such as poaching someone's clients, customers, or employees in business, or poaching a player from a sports team by offering them more advantageous terms.
Overall, the term "poaches" encompasses cooking techniques, illegal hunting, and unfair competition, all depending on the specific context in which it is used.
The word poaches has its origins in Middle English and Old French. It can be traced back to the Old French word pochier, which means to cook in a pouch or bag. This term ultimately derives from the Latin word punctiare, which means to prick or pierce. The association with cooking in a pouch or bag likely comes from the method of cooking eggs in a bag made of animal bladder or stomach lining, which was called poached eggs. Over time, the meaning of poaches expanded beyond cooking and began to include the illegal act of hunting or fishing on someone else's land without permission, hence the term poaching.
