BROKER. The origin of the word is contested; some derive it from the French broier, "to grind;" others from brocarder, "to cavil, or trifle;" others deduce broker from a trader broken, and that from the Saxon broe, "misfortune," which is often the true reason of a man's breaking. In which view, a broker is a broken trader by misfortune; and it is said none but such were formerly admitted to that employment.
BROKERS are of three kinds; exchange-brokers, stock-brokers, and pawn-brokers.