Here's a breakdown:
1. Illegal Hunting/Fishing:
* Definition: A person who illegally hunts or fishes on private land or in protected areas without permission or in violation of regulations.
* Example: A poacher might illegally hunt deer in a national park or fish for salmon in a closed season.
2. Other Meanings:
* Taking something without permission: Sometimes "poach" can refer to taking something that doesn't belong to you, even if it's not related to hunting or fishing. For example, "poaching clients" from a competitor.
* Steal or copy someone else's work: This is less common, but "poaching" can also be used to describe plagiarism or stealing someone else's ideas or creations.
In general, "poacher" has a negative connotation, implying someone who is acting dishonestly or breaking the law.