What is "under yard"

Yard \Yard\, n. [OE. yerd, AS. gierd, gyrd, a rod, stick, a measure, a yard; akin to OFries. ierde, OS. gerda, D. garde, G. gerte, OHG. gartia, gerta, gart, Icel. gaddr a goad, sting, Goth. gazds, and probably to L. hasta a spear. Cf. Gad, n., Gird, n., Gride, v. i., Hastate.]

1. A rod; a stick; a staff. [Obs.]
   --P. Plowman.

   If men smote it with a yerde.
   --Chaucer.

2. A branch; a twig. [Obs.]

   The bitter frosts with the sleet and rain Destroyed hath the green in every yerd.
   --Chaucer.

3. A long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc. [Obs.]

4. A measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six inches, being the standard of English and American measure.

5. The penis.

6. (Naut.) A long piece of timber, nearly cylindrical, tapering toward the ends, and designed to support and extend a square sail. A yard is usually hung by the center to the mast. See Illust. of Ship.

7. (Zo["o]l.) A place where moose or deer herd together in winter for pasture, protection, etc.

   Golden Yard, or Yard and Ell (Astron.), a popular name of the three stars in the belt of Orion.

   Under yard [i. e., under the rod], under contract. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.