Machinery. an elongated, tapered, serrated cutting tool for shaping and enlarging holes.
a spit for roasting meat.
a gimlet for tapping casks.
(in a lock) a pin receiving the barrel of a key.
Also broach spire .Architecture. an octagonal spire rising directly from a tower without any intervening feature.
Masonry. a pointed tool for the rough dressing of stone.
brooch.
verb (used with object)
to enlarge and finish with a broach.
to mention or suggest for the first time: to broach a subject.
to draw (beer, liquor, etc.), as by tapping: to broach beer from a keg.
to tap or pierce.
Masonry. to shape or dress (a block of stone).
verb (used without object)
Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) to veer to windward.
to break the surface of water; rise from the sea, as a fish or a submarine.
Origin of broach
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English broche<Anglo-French, Old French <Vulgar Latin *brocca spike, horn, tap of a cask (Medieval Latin broca), noun use of feminine of Latin adj. brocc(h)us projecting (said of teeth); (v.) Middle English brochen<Old French broch(i)er, derivative of the noun
Woven into the very fabric of its characters, Masters uses sex to broach bigger topics.
What Porn Stars Find Sexy on TV: From ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Deadliest Catch’|Aurora Snow|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CEO Mark Thompson for his advice on how she should broach the subject with Baquet and try to get his assent.
Fired New York Times Editor Jill Abramson Blitzes the Media|Lloyd Grove|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of his supporters remain so passionate that the subject can be difficult to broach.
In Greg Mortenson's Silence, His Neighbors Defend Him, or Vilify Him|Mike Giglio|June 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Now as always, Republicans need bipartisan cover to broach the subject of serious budget cutting.
How Obama Can Win the Budget Fight|Ed Kilgore|March 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But to broach the real state of the matter had been altogether too terrible for him.
Kipps|H. G. Wells
There was no one else with whom I could have summoned resolution to broach that topic.
When Life Was Young|C. A. Stephens
The boat did not capsize when she filled, neither did she broach to, her head was always direct for the shore.
The Cruise of the 'Alerte'|E. F. Knight
Do you know”—she still hesitated to broach this subject with the man—“do you know where—Major Fayne has gone?
The Haunting of Low Fennel|Sax Rohmer
A long conversation ensued before Miss Thorne could bring herself to broach the delicate subject.
Continental Monthly , Vol IV, Issue VI, December 1863|Various
British Dictionary definitions for broach (1 of 2)
broach1
/ (brəʊtʃ) /
verb
(tr)to initiate (a topic) for discussionto broach a dangerous subject
(tr)to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)to broach a cask; to broach wine
(tr)to open in order to begin to useto broach a shipment
(intr)to break the surface of the waterthe trout broached after being hooked
(tr)machineryto enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming
noun
a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes
a spit for roasting meat, etc
a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire
a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key
a tool used for tapping casks
a less common spelling of brooch
Derived forms of broach
broacher, noun
Word Origin for broach
C14: from Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin brocca (unattested), from Latin brochus projecting
British Dictionary definitions for broach (2 of 2)
broach2
/ (brəʊtʃ) /
verb
nautical(usually foll by to)to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously in a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves
Word Origin for broach
C18: perhaps from broach1 in obsolete sense of turn on a spit