Poach has two main meanings:

1. To hunt or fish illegally on someone else's land or in protected areas. When hunters poach elephants for ivory in African nature reserves, they're breaking laws meant to protect endangered animals. Someone might also poach deer from a neighbor's property without permission, or catch fish in a stream where fishing is forbidden. The illegal hunter is called a poacher.
2. To cook food gently in simmering liquid, just below boiling. When you poach an egg, you crack it into barely bubbling water, creating a soft, tender result with a runny yolk. Chefs also poach fish, chicken, or pears by cooking them in water, broth, or wine that's hot but not violently boiling. This cooking method keeps food moist and delicate.

The word can also mean taking something valuable from someone else, like when a company poaches talented employees from a competitor by offering them better jobs. In sports, one team might try to poach another team's best player.