bollard

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbɒlɑːd, -ləd/

noun

  • 1British a short post used to prevent traffic from entering an area.
  • 2a short, thick post on the deck of a ship or a quayside, to which a ship’s rope may be secured.

Origin:

Middle English (in bollard (sense 2)): perhaps from Old Norse bolr (see bole1) + -ard