Broaches the return fight (4)
I believe the answer is:
taps
'broaches' is the definition.
(broach can mean to tap or drain)
'return fight' is the wordplay.
'return' is a reversal indicator.
'fight' becomes 'spat'.
'spat' back-to-front is 'TAPS'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for taps that I've seen before include "Bugs (wire)" , "The sound of lights out" , "Bugs; valves" , "Flow controllers" , "Knocks lightly on the faucets" .)