Lanyard

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A short piece of rope or line for fastening something in ships; as, the lanyards of the gun ports, of the buoy, and the like; esp., pieces passing through the dead-eyes, and used to extend shrouds, stays, etc.

2. A strong cord, about twelve feet long, with an iron hook at one end a handle at the other, used in firing cannon with a friction tube.