online medical dictionary | definition of pouch

1. A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.

2. That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch; as: A protuberant belly; a paunch; so called in ridicule.

<medicine> A cyst or sac containing fluid.

<botany> A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's purse.

A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain, etc, from shifting. Pouch mouth, a mouth with blubbered or swollen lips.

Origin: F. Poche a pocket, pouch, bag; probably of Teutonic origin. See Poke a bag, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder.

(01 Mar 1998)