Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

POACH, n.² Also potch. The armed bullhead or pogge, Agonus cataphractus (Ags. 1966). Cf. sea-poacher, id., s.v. Sea.Fif. 1718 Burgess Ticket Buckhaven 1:
To use the wand for slaying and killing of Fishes, such as Podleys and Potches.Ags. 1904 J. M. Campbell Notes on Bell Rock 12:
Amongst the numerous aliases by which the “Poach” is known are the following — Bullhead, Hardhead, Cobbler, Shoemaker, Gunflucker, Comper, and Johnny Mainland.Ags. 1942 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 107:
Between “dooks” we searched under the grey slimy rocks for partans, or caught poach in the pools.Sc. 1952 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 358:
As for the “poach” — it is so fascinatingly ugly that I have seen many a visitor completely spellbound.