Where does “broker” come from?
broker (Middle English) comes from Anglo-Norman brocour, from Old Dutch brokere, from Old Dutch broke, from Proto-Germanic brūkiz, from Proto-Indo-European bʰruHg- — to make use of; have enjoyment of.
Ancestry of “broker”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Anglo-Norman | brocour | small trader; broker |
| 2 | Old Dutch | brokere | one who determines the usages of trade, manager |
| 3 | Old Dutch | broke | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | brūkiz | useful, useable |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰruHg- | to make use of; have enjoyment of |