Definition of ferry boat

The word "ferry" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "farrī" meaning "to carry." In the Middle Ages, Norse warriors brought this term with them as they migrated and invaded England, where it eventually became a familiar word in the local dialect. The first ferry services in England are reported to have existed as early as the 5th century AD, when the Saxons used small boats made of woven rushes to transport themselves across rivers and estuaries. These boats were pulled by men on either side of the riverbank as they waded through the shallower water. As transport technology progressed, ferryboats became larger and more sophisticated, capable of carrying not just people, but also livestock and goods. It was during this time that the term "ferry boat" or "ferryman" came into use. In England, the word "ferry" was variously spelled as "farī," "fary," and "ferri," among others, before it finally settled into its modern form in the 17th century. The alleged origin of the familiar sing-song tune played by London's "ghost ferrymen" on their boats, known as "Wapping Old Stairs," is said to have been composed by a bargee trying to warn other sailors of danger presented by shallow waters. Today, ferry services operate all over the world, ranging from simple flat-bottomed boats to large transport vessels that carry hundreds of passengers over vast expanses of water. In summary, the word "ferry" has its roots in Old Norse, meaning "to carry," and has emerged as a ubiquitous term in reference to waterborne transportation services.