noun
Japanese scull; traditional oar
A single oar attached to the stern of a traditional Japanese boat, pivoted in a peg-in-hole oarlock. Used for propulsion and steering.
漁師は櫓を漕いで舟を進めた。
The fisherman sculled the boat forward with the ro.
この和船の櫓はとても長い。
The ro of this traditional Japanese boat is very long.
The origin is uncertain; the word is native Japanese and has been used for centuries to refer to the traditional sculling oar.