Noun

1. The area encompassing the upper thigh, hip and buttocks on one side of a human, primate, or quadruped animal, especially one that is able to sit on its hindquarters.
2. The loin and leg of a quadruped, especially when used as food.
3. A squat vertical support structure.

Quotations

• 1735 — Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, Part IV, Ch II

  But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the gray horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him into the third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with a colt and foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not unartfully made, and perfectly neat and clean.

• 18?? — John Greenleaf Whittier, The Garrison of Cape Ann

  On the rough-hewn oaken table the venison haunch was shared.

• 1855 — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Song of Hiawatha, III

  And the rabbit from his path-way
  Leaped aside, and at a distance
  Sat erect upon his haunches.

• 1916 — Wilfred Owen, The Wrestlers

  While Heracles, - the thews and cordage of his thighs
  Straitened and strained beyond the utmost stretch
  From quivering heel to haunch like sweating hawsers.

• c.1918 — Carl Sandburg, Fog

  The fog comes on little cat feet.
  It sits looking over harbor and city
  on silent haunches and then moves on.