Meaning

noun a cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain types of cannon

noun a cord worn around the neck to hold a knife or whistle

noun (nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on ships

originFrom late Middle English lainer, lainere, lanyer (“strap or thong used to fasten armour”) (with the ending modified in the 17th century under the influence of yard), from Old French laniere, lasniere (“thong, lash”) (see modern French lanière (“lanyard, strap”)). The French word is ultimately from Germanic, cognate with Old High German nestila (“band, headband; strap”) (modern German Nestel…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0