Broach
/broʊtʃ/noun
To bring up, introduce, or open something for discussion; also, to pierce or tap a cask.
Did you know?The “bring up a topic” sense of broach grew from the older physical sense of piercing or boring into a cask, so the word still carries the energy of forcing open what was hidden.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
brocca
“a pointed tool or spike”
Old French
OF
broche
“a spit, skewer, or pointed instrument”
Middle English
ME
broche
“a pointed tool; to pierce or tap a cask”
15th Century
English
brochen
“to pierce, bore into, or tap a vessel”
16th Century
English
broach
“to introduce or open up a subject for discussion”
Modern English
English
broach
“to bring up or initiate a topic; also, to pierce or tap a container”