prop. phrase. Also 4–5 abroche, abroache. [f. A prep.1 in state of + BROACH.]
1. Broached; pierced; in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor. To set abroach: to broach, to pierce and leave running.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 183. Right as who set a toune abroche, He percede the harde roche.
c. 1450. J. Russell, Nurture, in Babees Book, 121. So when þow settyst a pipe abroche good [sone,] do aftur my lore.
1594. Plat, Jewell-house, II. 15. There is none [of the fatts of wine] worth the tasting, but that onlie which is abroach.
1697. Dryden, Virgil, Wks. 1806, II. 218. The jars of gen’rous wine … He set abroach, and for the feast prepar’d.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pickle (1779), II. lxvi. 226. There was a butt of strong beer abroach in the yard.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. xvii. 67. Hogsheads of ale and claret were set abroach in the streets.
b. fig.
1533. More, Debel. Salem, v. Wks. 1557, 39/2. They [the new brotherhood] be a barel of poyson, yt the dyuel hath late set abroche.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, 29, Agonie, 15. That juice, which on the crosse a pike Did set again abroach.
1662. H. More, Antid. agst. Ath. (1712), II. vii. 59. There was a general Provision of Water, by setting the Mountains and Hills abroach.
2. Hence, In a state to be diffused or propagated; afloat; afoot; astir. To set abroach: to broach, to set a-foot, to publish or diffuse.
1528. More, Heresyes, IV. Wks. 1557, 284/2. Ascribing al our dedes to destenie … they … set al wretchednes abroche.
1591. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. i. 111. Who set this auncient quarrell new abroach?
1611. Speed, Hist. Brit. (1632), IX. xxiii. 1130. These stirres thus abroach, the Earle was sent into those parts.
1638. Wilkins, Discov. New World (1684), II. 2. Let but some upstart Heresie be set abroach.
1742. Young, Night Th., II. 465. Hast thou no friend to set thy mind abroach?
1835. Browning, Paracel., 31. But ’twas not my desire to set abroach Such memories and forebodings.
