yardarm

[ yahrd-ahrm ]

/ ˈyɑrdˌɑrm /

either of the outer portions of the yard of a square sail.

Origin of yardarm

First recorded in 1545–55; yard¹ + arm¹

If we do not get to Tarragona by four o'clock this afternoon, I will have you hung from the yardarm.

The White Plumes of Navarre |Samuel Rutherford Crockett
"I should like to see your owner dangling from the yardarm," the major said, wrathfully.

With Moore at Corunna |G. A. Henty
Looking up, he saw a ball of fire running along a yardarm near the top of the mast.

A Chinese Wonder Book |Norman Hinsdale Pitman
A rope was got and the end of it was flung over the yardarm, and a running noose made in it.

Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the Brigand's of Greece |Bracebridge Hemyng

Not a word was now spoken except by the master as he issued his orders from the yardarm.

Won from the Waves |W.H.G. Kingston

yardarm

/ (ˈjɑːdˌɑːm) /

nautical the two tapering outer ends of a ship's yard