1210, "bag, sack," from Anglo-Fr.
pokete (13c.), dim. of O.N.Fr.
poque "bag," from Frank.
*pokka "bag," from Gmc.
*puk- (see
poke (n.)). Meaning "small bag worn on the person, especially one sewn into a garment" is from c.1430. Mining sense is attested from 1850; military sense of "area held by troops surrounded by the enemy" is from 1918. The verb, with implications of dishonesty, is from 1637.
Pocket-book (1617) was originally "a book-like case for papers, etc.;" meaning "a woman's purse" is from 1816.
Pocket-knife is first recorded 1727;
pocket-money is attested from 1632.