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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Broach

Brōach, n.

noun

n. [Fr. broche, spit, iron pin, spigot, Pr., Sp., & Pg. broca, It. & L. Lat. brocca, O. & Prov. Fr. broc, It. brocco, tack, stud, splinter. Cf. Lat. brochus, brocchus, a projecting tooth, and W. proc, thrust, stab. See BROOCH.]

Sense 1. A spit. [Obs.]

And some failed not to take the child and bind it to a broach, and lay it to the fire to roast. Sir T. More.

Sense 2. An awl; a bodkin. [Prov. Eng.]

Sense 3. (Mech.) (a.) A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges, for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot-holes in watches. The broach for gun-barrels is commonly square and without taper. (b.) A straight tool with file teeth, made of steel, to be pressed through irregular holes in metal, that can not be dressed by revolving tools.

Sense 4. A spire; one of a number of small turrets or spires which surround a larger one. [Obs.]

And with as high innumerous broaches. G. Tooke.

Sense 5. A clasp or ornament used to fasten a garment; — so called from the pin by which it is stuck on. See BROOCH.

Sense 6. A rod of tough, pliant wood, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers to pierce and fix their work, and for other purposes. [Prov. Eng.] Forbes.

Sense 7. A projection growing sharp, like the end of a spit, on the head of a young stag.

Sense 8. A candle rod.

Brōach, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. BROACHED; p. pr. & vb. n. BROACHING.] [See supra. Cf. W. prociaw, proccio, to pierce, thrust, stab.]

Sense 1. To spit; to pierce as with a spit.

I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point. Shak.

Sense 2. To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor; hence, to let out.

He bravely broached his boiling, bloody breast With bloody, baleful blade. Shak.

Sense 3. To open for the first time, as stores.

You shall want neither weapons, victuals, nor aid; I will open the old armories, I will broach my store, and will bring forth my stores. Knolles.

Sense 4. To make public; to utter; to give out; to publish first; to put forth; to cause to begin or break out. “To broach a quarrel.” Shak. “Those very opinions themselves had broached.” Swift.

To broach to (Naut.), to incline suddenly to windward, so as to lay the sails aback, and expose the vessel to the danger of oversetting.