American Dictionary of the English Language

FORD, noun

1. A place in a river or other water, where it may be passed by man or beast on foot, or by wading.

2. A stream; a current.

Permit my ghost to pass the Stygian ford

FORD, verb transitive To pass or cross a river or other water by treading or walking on the bottom; to pass through water by wading; to wade through.