Barrier separating knightly jousters designed to prevent converging horses from colliding with each other. The word came by transference to apply to the sport of jousting; also the place became the tilt-yard. The use of a barrier emerged when jousting was becoming more a sport and display of skill, rather than just practice in an art of war. While still dangerous, the intent was not to cause injury so much as simply to unseat one's opponent and thereby gain praise; indeed points were scored by various hits. It was at this time that *chivalry was becoming self-conscious and tournaments expensive shows. There is a tilt-yard at Kenilworth Castle which may date to Richard I's reign. -
Cf. Recet
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.