[YARD sb.1] A man who has charge of, or is employed in, a yard, e.g., a farm-yard, builder’s yard, stable-yard, railway-yard, etc.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Yard-man, the hind who has the particular care of the farm-yard, and of the cattle fed there.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Yard-man, a manager or overlooker in a builder’s yard.
1864. Social Sci. Rev., 406. The payment of washers, ostlers, and harness cleaners who are all classed together as yard-men is ordinarily divided between the cab-owners and the drivers.
1876. Belfast Newsletter, 22 Nov., 3/3. Yardman wanted … in the neighbourhood of Belfast; would be required to clean boots, &c., and make himself generally useful.
1903. Hull & East Yorksh. Times, 28 Feb., 1/1. Yardman Wanted,… must be good milker.
