Historical spellings included: Osmundayk in 1304, Osmundesayk (1323), Osmondak(e) (1438,1450), Ossendak (1491), Hossindike (1535), Os(s)ingdike (1540, 1549), Ossendike (1588, 1595), and Osendyke (1641).

Historically, census returns show that many residents were farm labourers or worked in the larger village of Cawood three miles to the south-east.

The estate of Ryther was owned by the Barons Haversham, who bequeathed it to Thomas Corbett (Lincolnshire MP) in the 1830s.

This part of Yorkshire typically produces barley, wheat, oilseed rape, sugar beet and potatoes; along the river the meadows and embankments are used for grazing sheep and cattle.

In the late twentieth century, a number of new houses extended the village southwards along Mill Lane.

Leeds East Airport, formerly RAF Church Fenton, lies 1.2 miles (2 km) south-west of the village.