Concept:
The hydroxyl group attached to benzene strongly activates the aromatic ring through resonance.
The lone pair on oxygen participates in resonance and increases electron density at ortho and para positions.
Step 1: Examine the effect of \(-OH\) group.
Phenol contains:
\[
-OH
\]
which is a strongly activating group.
The ortho and para positions become highly electron-rich.
Step 2: Reaction with bromine water.
Ordinary benzene requires a Lewis acid catalyst such as \(FeBr_3\).
However, phenol is so reactive that bromination occurs directly with bromine water.
\[
C_6H_5OH + 3Br_2
\rightarrow
C_6H_2Br_3OH + 3HBr
\]
Step 3: Identify substitution positions.
Substitution occurs at:
\[
2,\;4,\;6
\]
positions.
The product formed is:
\[
2,4,6-\text{Tribromophenol}
\]
which appears as a white precipitate.
Hence option (D) is correct.