What is "to brace a yard"

Brace \Brace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Braced; p. pr. & vb. n. Bracing.]

1. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace a beam in a building.

2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves.

   And welcome war to brace her drums.
   --Campbell.

3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.

   The women of China, by bracing and binding them from their infancy, have very little feet.
   --Locke.

   Some who spurs had first braced on.
   --Sir W. Scott.

4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd.

   A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.
   --Fairfax.

5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace the yards.

   To brace about (Naut.), to turn (a yard) round for the contrary tack.

   To brace a yard (Naut.), to move it horizontally by means of a brace.

   To brace in (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by hauling in the weather brace.

   To brace one's self, to call up one's energies. ``He braced himself for an effort which he was little able to make.''
   --J. D. Forbes.

   To brace to (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by checking or easing off the lee brace, and hauling in the weather one, to assist in tacking.

   To brace up (Naut.), to bring (a yard) nearer the direction of the keel by hauling in the lee brace.

   To brace up sharp (Naut.), to turn (a yard) as far forward as the rigging will permit.