bollard

Meanings

1. A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to a wharf, dock, or the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines or towlines are secured.
2. A similar post preventing vehicle access to a pedestrian area, to delineate traffic lanes, or used for security purposes.

Etymology

From Middle English bollard, probably from Middle English bole (“tree trunk”), from Old Norse bolr (“stump, trunk”), equivalent to bole + -ard (pejorative or diminutive suffix).