pocket

{{11}}pocket (n.) mid-14c., pokete, "bag, pouch, small sack," from Anglo-Fr. pokete (13c.), diminutive of O.N.Fr. poque "bag," from Frankish *pokka "bag," from P.Gmc. *puk- (see POKE (Cf. poke) (n.)). Meaning "small bag worn on the person, especially one sewn into a garment" is from early 15c. Mining sense is attested from 1850; military sense of "area held by troops surrounded by the enemy" is from 1918. Pocket veto attested from 1842, American English.

The "pocket veto" can operate only in the case of bills sent to the President within ten days of Congressional adjournment. If he retain such a bill (figuratively, in his pocket) neither giving it his sanction by signing it, nor withholding his sanction in returning it to Congress, the bill is defeated. The President is not bound to give reasons for defeating a bill by a pocket veto which he has not had at least ten days to consider. In a regular veto he is bound to give such reasons. [James Albert Woodburn, "The American Republic and its Government," Putnam's, 1903]

Pocket-knife is first recorded 1727; pocket-money is attested from 1630s. Pope Pokett (late 15c.) was figurative of the greedy and corrupt Church.

{{12}}pocket (v.) "to place in a pocket" (often with implications of dishonesty), 1630s, from POCKET (Cf. pocket) (n.). Related: Pocketed; pocketing.