STANCHION

noun Etymology: Middle English stanchon, from Anglo-French *stanchun, stançun, alteration of Old French estançon, diminutive of estance stay, prop Date: 15th century an upright bar, post, or support (as for a roof or a ship's deck), a device that fits loosely around the neck of an animal (as a cow) and limits forward and backward motion (as in a stall), ~ed adjective