Sentence:  This aversion towards <WSD>broking</WSD> originated in all probability in the fear of the Amsterdam regents ("regenten") that brokers might abuse their information advantage, manipulate the market in general and price levels in particular, and would thus damage the reputation of Amsterdam as a trade capital. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The craft or profession of a broker; mediation in a sale or transaction.