Broach
Etymology
From Old French “brochier,” to pierce or tap, from Latin “broccus,” a projecting tooth. A broach was a pointed tool or spit, and to broach a cask meant to pierce it and draw off the wine. The figurative sense — to open up a subject — keeps that image of tapping something previously sealed. It shares its root with “brooch,” the pin.
verb · /BROHCH/
To raise a difficult or delicate subject for discussion for the first time.
What it names
The specific act of opening a touchy topic — the moment of first mention, not the conversation itself.
Example
She waited until the numbers were on the table before broaching the question of layoffs.
Related idea
To broach is only to open the topic; to belabor it is to keep hammering after the point is made. You broach once, then risk belaboring.
verb · /BROHCH/
To pierce a cask or barrel in order to draw off the liquid inside.
What it names
the act of tapping a container to release its contents
Example
They broached the first barrel of cider as soon as the harvest was in.
Related idea
This literal act is the source of the figurative one — you puncture the surface to let out what is held inside, whether wine or an awkward truth. Compare decant.
See also