noun
ferryman
A person who operates a ferry, typically rowing or poling a small boat across a river or channel. This is a traditional occupation, now mostly historical or found in rural areas.
昔、この川には渡し守がいて、村人を向こう岸へ運んでいた。
Long ago, there was a ferryman on this river who carried the villagers to the opposite bank.
渡し守は長い竿で舟を操った。
The ferryman maneuvered the boat with a long pole.
Variant spelling with okurigana り; less common but still used.
船頭 is a more general term for a boatman or skipper, often of a larger boat, while 渡し守 specifically refers to a ferryman operating a crossing service.
Compound of 渡し (watashi, 'ferry, crossing') + 守り (mori, 'guardian, keeper'). The spelling 渡守 is an irregular abbreviation.