Measures some of the rigging (5)

I believe the answer is:

yards

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'measures' is the definition.
(yard is a kind of measure)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for yards that I've seen before include "Measures; enclosures" , "Lots of material" , "Enclosed paved areas behind buildings" , "Courts" , "Pieces of uncultivated ground adjoining buildings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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