Naut. [perh. a use of BROACH v.1, in sense of turn (as on a spit).]
1. intr. in phrase, To broach to (said of the ship): to veer suddenly so as to turn the side to windward, or to meet the sea.
1705. Dampier, Voy., II. iii. 6. If the Ship should prove unruly, as by her broaching to against all endeavours, which often happens, when a fierce gust comes.
17629. Falconer, Shipwr., II. 639. If broaching sideway to the sea, Our dropsied ship may founder by the lee.
1800. A. Duncan, Mariners Chron. (1804), II. 77. She lost her steerage way, broached-to, and upset, the sea rolling over and over.
1829. Marryat, F. Mildmay, v. The vessel broached to, that is, came with her broadside to the wind and sea.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxxii. 126. They hove the wheel up just in time to save her from broaching to.
2. trans. To cause (the ship) to veer or swerve to windward, to bring with her broadside to the wind and sea.
17629. Falconer, Shipwr., II. 376. Broach the vessel to the westward round.
1875. Bedford, Sailors Pocket-bk., vi. 229. It too often happens that some of the men catch crabs with their oars, and broach the boat to.
Hence Broaching-to vbl. sb.
17629. Falconer, Shipwr., III. (1819), 98. They dread her broaching-to.
1875. Bedford, Sailors Pocket-bk., vi. 218. The one great danger, when running before a broken sea, is that of broaching-to.