ホウ, はな.す, っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る, はなれ

set free, release, fire, shoot, emit, banish, liberate

JLPT3 G3 S8 F288

As per # (spread) + (strike) → strike an object, causing pieces to spread/*scatter* in all directions → *release*; *set free* → *reach*; *fire* (a gun); *expel*; *leave up to*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]