The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Halyard \Hal"yard\ (h[a^]l"y[~e]rd), n. [Hale, v. t. + yard.] (Naut.) A rope or tackle for hoisting or lowering yards, sails, flags, etc. [Written also halliard, haulyard.] [1913 Webster]WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
halyard n 1: a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag [syn: halyard, halliard]