isbrytare

Etymology
, used in Swedish since 1801 (post in a river) and 1883 (ship).

Obsolete synonyms for icebreaker (ship) are isbräckare (1845) and isbråkare (1859).

Noun

 * 1) a starkwater, a starling, a post in a river, upstream from a bridge, intended to break the ice and protect the bridge
 * 2) an icebreaker; a ship capable of (and intended for) breaking ice, to open routes for other ships in the winter
 * 3) an icebreaker; a joke or exercise that makes people relax and willing to communicate