A somewhat formal or literary term for a manual laborer, often used in historical or official contexts.
古代の役夫たちは重い石を運んだ。
The laborers of ancient times carried heavy stones.
handyman; odd-job man
The term is composed of 役 (service, duty) and 夫 (man, husband), literally meaning a man who performs service or labor. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.