1. n. (Also leecher.) Among BBS types, crackers and {warez d00dz},
one who consumes knowledge without generating new software, cracks,
or techniques. BBS culture specifically defines a leech as someone
who downloads files with few or no uploads in return, and who does
not contribute to the message section. Cracker culture extends this
definition to someone (a {lamer}, usually) who constantly presses
informed sources for information and/or assistance, but has nothing
to contribute. See {troughie}.
2. v. [common, Toronto area] v. To download a file across any kind of
internet link. "Hop on IRC later so I can leech some MP3s from you."
Used to describe activities ranging from FTP, to IRC DCC-send, to ICQ
file requests, to Napster searches (but never to downloading email
with file attachments; the implication is that the download is the
result of a browse or search of some sort of file server). Seems to
be a holdover from the early 1990s when Toronto had a very active BBS
and warez scene. Synonymous with {snarf} (sense 2), and contrast
{snarf} (sense 4).
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {courier}{poser}{troughie}{warez}{warez d00dz}]