Halyard

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 referring to a yard, the spar located at the head of a square sail (and some other sail types). Halyards, like most other parts of the running rigging, were classically made of natural fibre like manila or hemp.