Poaching — Law Dictionary

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

Trespassing at night to kill game.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

Unlawfully entering land in night-time, armed, with intent to destroy game. 1 Russ. Crimes 469; 2 Steph. Comm. 20. There is an interesting title on the early English game laics in Jacob, Law Diet.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In English criminal law. The unlawful entry upon land for the purpose of taking or destroying game; the taking or destruction of game upon another's land, usually committed at night. Steph. Grim. Law 119, et seq.; 2 Steph. Comm. 82.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

In English law. The unlawful entry on land, for the purpose of taking or destroying game; the taking or destruction of game on another's land.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

The unlawful destruction of game, especially by night; also, trespassing by night on land in pursuit of game. It is an offence of note in England, being a violation of the game laws of that country. It has not been known in the United States. The game laws which have been passed in several of the states, in recent years, are of different character and principle from those of England, looking to the preservation of the breeds, for the benefit of the public, not of individual beasts and birds, for the future sport of the owner. It is not clear that poaching would be an appropriate name for the breach of the American laws.