The word "pawnbroker" is a combination of two words "pawn" and "broker". "Pawn" comes from the Latin word "pignus" which means "something pledged or given as security for a loan." The word "broker" comes from the Old English word "brocere" which means "a trader or dealer." Pawnbroker is a person or a business who lend money in exchange for personal property held as collateral. The word pawnbroker has been used in English since the late 16th century.