frontiersman

/frʌnˈtɪrzmən/
noun
  1. A person who lives on the edge of a settled area, especially in a wild or undeveloped region, often exploring or surviving in nature.
    • As a young frontiersman, he learned to hunt and trap animals for food and fur.
    • The frontiersman built a log cabin deep in the forest, far from any town.
    • Many stories tell of the bravery of the frontiersman who ventured into unknown lands.
  2. A person who pioneers or leads the way in a new field of activity or thought.
    • She was a frontiersman in the field of space exploration, designing the first lunar rover.
    • The scientist acted as a frontiersman, pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
    • In the world of music, he was a frontiersman who blended jazz with electronic sounds.