2poach verb
poaches; poached; poaching 1 : to hunt or fish illegally : to catch or kill an animal illegally [+ obj] ▪ Elephants are often poached for their ivory tusks. [no obj] ▪ The state fines anyone who is caught poaching. 2 [+ obj] : to take (something, such as an idea, or someone, such as an employee or customer) from someone else illegally or unfairly
▪ She was accused of poaching [=plagiarizing] the material for her essay from a Web site. ▪ Her former company accused her of poaching clients.
▪ She was accused of poaching [=plagiarizing] the material for her essay from a Web site. ▪ Her former company accused her of poaching clients.
poach on someone's territory/turf
: to do something that someone else should do : to interfere in an area that another person usually controls
▪ You can't keep other candidates from poaching on your turf. [=from trying to get voters who usually vote for you or your party to vote for them]
▪ You can't keep other candidates from poaching on your turf. [=from trying to get voters who usually vote for you or your party to vote for them]
— compare 1poach
— poach·er noun, plural poach·ers [count]
▪ Poachers are responsible for the declining rhinoceros population in this area.
▪ Poachers are responsible for the declining rhinoceros population in this area.
— poaching noun [noncount]
▪ a heavy fine for poaching
▪ a heavy fine for poaching
