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).
Derivatives:
paunchy adj. (paunchier, paunchiest). paunchiness n.
Etymology: ME f. AF pa(u)nche, ONF panche ult. f. L pantex panticis bowels