What does "broads" mean here?
when I was approached by two women who I do not think would be insulted to hear themselves described as tiny old tough-talking Italian-American BROADS.

Without BROADS, I can understand this sentence. So what does it mean here? Thank you

Question

What does "broads" mean here?
when I was approached by two women who I do not think would be insulted to hear themselves described as tiny old tough-talking Italian-American BROADS.

Without BROADS, I can understand this sentence. So what does it mean here? Thank you

Answer

Broad is a word with an interesting history.  Here are three links for you. Maybe it's more than you want to know but it's interesting. 
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/08/why-are-women-called-sluts-dames-and-broads/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=broad
http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/05/20/how-generations-of-women-powerfully-reinvented-the-word-broad-2/

Answer

Broads just means women.  But it is kind of derogatory and like Lee Wright, I don't like it, either.  It shows no respect for women and maybe men who use the term have no respect for themselves, either.

Answer

A "broad" is slang for an "old woman".  It is rude and insulting to some women to be called a "broad".  I do not like the use of this word; it sounds disrespectful to me.

Answer

Yes it is. I found it in this TED.

Answer

In this case, it was a woman who used the term......
https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_success_failure_and_the_drive_to_keep_creating/transcript

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!