Small bags or containers, typically flexible and used for carrying or storing items. Can also refer to natural body cavities in animals like the cheek pouches of hamsters or marsupial pouches.
From Old French pouche meaning 'bag, pouch,' ultimately from a Germanic source related to 'poke' (as in 'pig in a poke'). The word entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to small leather bags.
Marsupial pouches are inside-out compared to what you might expect - they're not permanent structures but rather folds of skin that develop during pregnancy and can disappear when not needed. Kangaroo joeys are born incredibly underdeveloped and must crawl into the pouch where they attach to a nipple and continue developing for months.
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