- ford (n.)
- Old English ford "shallow place where water can be crossed," from Proto-Germanic *furduz (source also of Old Frisian forda, Old High German furt, German Furt "ford"), from PIE *prtu- "a going, a passage" (source also of Latin portus "harbor," originally "entrance, passage;" Old Welsh rit, Welsh rhyd "ford;" Old English faran "to go;" see port (n.1)). The line of automobiles (company founded 1903) is named for U.S. manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947).
- ford (v.)
- "to cross a body of water by walking on the bottom," 1610s, from ford (n.). Related: Forded; fording.
