yard \yard\, n. oe. yerd, as. gierd, gyrd, a rod, stick, a
   measure, a yard; akin to ofries. ierde, os. gerda, d. garde,
   g. gerte, ohg. gartia, gerta, gart, icel. gaddr a goad,
   sting, goth. gazds, and probably to l. hasta a spear. cf.
   gad, n., gird, n., gride, v. i., hastate.
   1. a rod; a stick; a staff. obs. --p. plowman.
      1913 webster

            if men smote it with a yerde.         --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   2. a branch; a twig. obs.
      1913 webster

            the bitter frosts with the sleet and rain
            destroyed hath the green in every yerd. --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   3. a long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc. obs.
      1913 webster

   4. a measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six
      inches, being the standard of english and american
      measure.
      1913 webster

   5. the penis.
      1913 webster

   6. naut. a long piece of timber, nearly cylindrical,
      tapering toward the ends, and designed to support and
      extend a square sail. a yard is usually hung by the center
      to the mast. see illust. of ship.
      1913 webster

   7. zool. a place where moose or deer herd together in
      winter for pasture, protection, etc.
      webster 1913 suppl.

   golden yard, or yard and ell astron., a popular name of
      the three stars in the belt of orion.

   under yard i. e., under the rod, under contract. obs.
      --chaucer.
      1913 webster
see also:
gad gird gride hastate ship golden yard 
yard and ell under yard