/ ˈbɒlɑːd; NAmE ˈbɑːlərd/ noun
1.
( BrE ) a short thick post that is used to stop vehicles from going on to a road or part of a road
2.
a short thick post on a ship, or on land close to water, to which a ship's rope may be tied
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in sense 2): perhaps from Old Norse bolr ; perhaps related to baulk + -ard .