\Broach\, n. [OE. broche, F. broche, fr. LL. brocca;
prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. proc thrust, stab, Gael. brog
awl. Cf. {Brooch}.]
1. A spit. [Obs.]
         He turned a broach that had worn a crown. --Bacon.
2. An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at
   each end, used by thatchers. [Prov. Eng.] --Forby.
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; a reamer. 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 cannot
       be dressed by revolving tools; a drift.
4. (Masonry) A broad chisel for stonecutting.
5. (Arch.) A spire rising from a tower. [Local, Eng.]
6. A clasp for fastening a garment. See {Brooch}.
7. A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag.
8. The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for
   dipping. --Knight.
9. The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

\Broach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Broached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Broaching}.] [F. brocher, fr. broche. See {Broach}, n.]
1. To spit; to pierce as with a spit.
         I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point.
                                               --Shak.
2. To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor.
   Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood.
         Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He
         bravely broached his boiling bloody breast. --Shak.
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.
4. To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth;
   to introduce as a topic of conversation.
         Those very opinions themselves had broached.
                                               --Swift.
5. To cause to begin or break out. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. (Masonry) To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by
   chiseling with a coarse tool. [Scot. & North of Eng.]
7. To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach.
{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.