brocante
French
Etymology
From the verb brocanter (“to deal in second-hand goods”), of obscure origin. Probably either from Dutch brok (“piece, fragment”), or from the same root as Middle French broqueur, abrokeur (“broker”), from Medieval Latin *brocator, abrocator (“broker”), from Old Dutch *brokere (“one who determines the usages of trade, manager”), from broke, bruyck, breuck (“use, usage, trade”), from Proto-Germanic *brūkiz (“use, custom”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰruHg- (“to use, enjoy”). More at broker.
Pronunciation
Noun
brocante f (plural brocantes)
- flea market; bric-à-brac market
- car boot sale; jumble sale
Derived terms
Related terms
Further reading
- “brocante”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.