In sailing, an earing (often spelled ear-ring in traditional texts) is a small line or rope used to secure the upper corner of a sail to a yard or spar. These lines are passed through cringles (reinforced holes/loops) at the corner of the sail to stretch it tight, particularly during reefing.

Key Aspects of Earings:
Function: They fasten the corner of a sail to a yardarm (spar), securing it tightly.

Reefing: Specifically used when reefing a square sail to control the sail area.

Placement: The outer turns go through the cringles to the yardarm, while inner turns draw the sail close to the yard.

Confusion with Jewelry: This term has no relation to the jewelry worn on ears; it is an old nautical term, sometimes spelled "ear-ring" in older texts.