from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sward \Sward\, n. [AS. sweard skin, covering; akin to OFries.
swarge, D. zwoord, G. schwarte, Icel. sv["o]r?r skin, sward
of the earth.]
1. Skin; covering. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
[1913 Webster]
2. The grassy surface of land; that part of the soil which is
filled with the roots of grass; turf.
[1913 Webster]
The sward was trim as any garden lawn. --Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]
{Sward pork}, bacon in large fitches. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]