[a. F. barde, in same sense, transferred from the armor barde; see prec.] A thin slice of bacon used to cover a fowl, etc.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Neats Tongue, Bards or thin Slices of Bacon … Having covered the Tongues with other Beef-Stakes and Bacon Bards.
1736. Bailey, Houshold Dict., Bards, broad slices of Bacon, with which pullets, capons, etc. … are sometimes covered before they are roasted.
