The business of acting as an intermediary in negotiations or transactions; also the fee charged for such services.
From 'broker' (from Anglo-Norman brocour 'small trader') plus '-age' suffix indicating action or result. Originally referred to wine merchants who 'broached' (opened) casks, extending to any intermediary trade.
The word 'broker' originally meant someone who literally 'broke open' wine casks for tasting and selling. This physical breaking evolved into the metaphorical breaking down of barriers between buyers and sellers - brokers still 'break open' deals today.
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