haunch

1. (anatomy) The area encompassing the upper thigh, hip and buttocks on one side of a human, primate, or quadruped animal, especially one that can sit on its hindquarters.Examples: "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."; "And the rabbit from his path-way Leaped aside, and at a distance Sat erect upon his haunches."; "While Heracles, - the thews and cordage of his thighs Straitened and strained beyond the utmost stretch From quivering heel to haunch like sweating hawsers."

2. (architecture) A squat vertical support structure.

3. (dialect) A jerked underhand throw.dialectal