"In sailing, a halyard or halliard is a line (rope) that is used to hoist a ladder, sail, flag or yard. The term 'halyard' derives from the Middle English halier ('rope to haul with'), with the last syllable altered by association with the English unit of measure 'yard'. Halyards, like most other parts of the running rigging, were classically made of natural fibre like manila or hemp." -- Wikipedia