broach

Meanings

Noun

• A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. For example, the toothed stone chisel shown here.
• A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
• Alternate spelling of brooch
• A spit for cooking food.
• An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
• A spire rising from a tower.
• A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
• The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
• The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

Verb

• To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
• To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.
• To begin discussion about (something).
• To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
• To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves (usually followed by to; also figurative).

Origin

• From Middle English broche, from Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, originally a feminine form of Latin broccus, perhaps ultimately of Gaulish origin (see Scottish Gaelic bròg; cognate to brochure).