brochure

The word 'brochure' entered English in the 18th century directly from French, where it originally meant "a stitched work." This French term derives from the verb 'brocher,' meaning "to stitch," which itself comes from the Old French 'brochier,' referring to the act of piercing or stitching. The semantic evolution from a physical act of stitching to a small, bound booklet is clear, as early pamphlets were literally stitched together. The modern, specialized meaning of a promotional pamphlet developed in the 19th century, reflecting its primary use in advertising and information dissemination.

The word is a simplex loanword from French. Its spelling and form are borrowed as a whole unit.