Hourd

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A secret stock of valuables or supplies kept stored away for later use ; to gather and keep such a store carefully for oneself
2. A concealed supply of treasure or goods set aside for the future ; to pile up and guard a quantity of something for later
3. A stash of riches or provisions tucked away out of sight ; to amass and keep a supply of goods, often jealously and out of view

Etymology: In medieval fortifications, a hourd was a temporary wooden gallery built out from the top of a castle or town wall, often with openings in its floor through which defenders could drop stones or missiles on attackers below. The name comes from Old French "hourd," meaning a wattle fence or screen, which points to the basic material: woven or framed timber. The word is closely related to "hurdle," the woven panel of sticks used for fencing, and the two likely share a Germanic origin in a term for interwoven wood. The timber gallery's name passed on to "hoarding," the temporary board fence put up around building sites, which descends from the same lineage. Despite the similar sound, "hourd" has no connection to "hoard," the word for a store of valuables, which comes from a different source.