n. [ OF. panch, pance, F. panse, L. pantex, panticis. ] 1. (Anat.) The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See Rumen. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A paunch mat; -- called also panch. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A noticeably protruding belly; a potbelly. [ PJC ]

Paunch mat (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope, used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Paunched p. pr. & vb. n. Paunching. ] 1. To pierce or rip the belly of; to eviscerate; to disembowel. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stuff with food. [ Obs. ] Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pot-bellied. [ R. ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]