n. & v.
n. 1 the belly or stomach, esp. when protruding. 2 a ruminant's first stomach; the rumen. 3 Naut. a thick strong mat.
v.tr. disembowel (an animal). paunchy adj. (paunchier, paunchiest). paunchiness n.
[ ME f. AF pa(u)nche, ONF panche ult. f. L pantex panticis bowels ]