pouch
UK[paʊtʃ]US[paʊtʃ]
n
a small bag or soft container for carrying things, often forming part of a garment or piece of equipment.
n
a pocket of skin on the body of some animals, especially marsupials, used for carrying young.
n
a baggy area of skin under the eyes.
Etymology
the word 'pouch' entered english from old north french in the late 13th century, carrying the core meaning of a small bag or sack. its deeper roots lie in west germanic languages, such as old english 'pocca' and middle dutch 'poke', which share the same essential meaning. this germanic lineage is also connected to old norse 'pokki', reinforcing the term's association with a flexible container. over time, the meaning expanded from a general portable bag to include specialized anatomical features in animals and humans that resemble such a bag in form and function.
Analysis
the word 'pouch' is a simplex word. it is a loanword from old north french 'pouche', a variant of old french 'poche', meaning 'bag, pocket'. its ultimate origin is a germanic source, likely frankish pokka or old english pocca, both meaning 'bag'.
Examples
she kept her coins in a small leather pouch attached to her belt.
the kangaroo carried its joey safely in its pouch.
lack of sleep often leads to dark pouches under the eyes.