- ferry (v.)
- O.E. ferian "to carry, transport," from P.Gmc. *farjanan, from PIE *por- "going, passage." Related to fare (v.). Related: Ferried; ferries. The noun is early 15c., perhaps earlier and from O.N. ferju- "passage across water," ultimately from the same Germanic root. The modern noun use (1580s) is a shortening of ferry boat (mid-15c.).