/ hɔːntʃ; NAmE / noun
1.
haunches [ pl. ] the tops of the legs and buttocks ; the similar parts at the back of the body of an animal that has four legs :
to crouch / squat on your haunches
2.
[ C ] a back leg and loin of an animal that has four legs, eaten as food :
a haunch of venison
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French hanche , of Germanic origin.