also break-out, 1820, from the verbal phrase, "issue forth, arise, spring up;" see break (v.) + out (adv.). The verbal phrase goes back to Old English ut brecan, utabrecan. Transitive sense is attested from 1610s.
the breakout was carefully planned
breakdown
breaker
break-even
breakfast
breakneck
breakout
breakthrough
breakup
breakwater
bream
breast