Broaching
/ˈbroʊ.tʃɪŋ/noun
The act of bringing up, introducing, or beginning a subject; also the act of piercing or opening something.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a term for a pointed tool used to pierce or enlarge holes, which is why “broach” still carries the sense of opening something by force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhrēg-
“to pierce, break, or split”
Latin
Latin
brocca
“a pointed instrument; a projecting point”
Old French
Old French
broche
“a pointed instrument, spit, or skewer”
Middle English
English
broche
“a spit, skewer, or pointed tool; later, to open or tap”
16th Century
English
broche
“to pierce, tap, or open a cask; also to introduce a matter”
Modern English
English
broaching
“introducing a subject or beginning to discuss something; also piercing or opening”