Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   2. The grassy surface of land; that part of the soil which is
      filled with the roots of grass; turf.

            The sward was trim as any garden lawn. --Tennyson.

   {Sward pork}, bacon in large fitches. [Prov. Eng.]