ˈbräthəl, -rȯth- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from brothen ruined (past participle of brethen to waste away, go to ruin), from Old English, past participle of brēothan to waste away; akin to Old High German brōdi frail — more at brittle
1. obsolete : a worthless fellow : a lewd man or woman : prostitute
2.
[influenced in meaning by bordel ]
: an establishment (as a house or apartment) in which prostitutes are domiciled and ply their trade usually as employees or on a commission basis, the keeping of such an establishment being at common law and usually by statute a misdemeanor