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Jutsu [術] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "art; means; technique."
Do [道] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "road; street; way; path; course; route; lane; distance; ways; the way (of proper conduct, etc.); one's way; morals; teachings (esp. Confucian or Buddhist); dogma; way; method; means."
Then there is what we often refer to as the art, i.e., Gei [芸] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "art; craft; accomplishment; artistic skill; technique; performance."
When trying to differentiate between the two, jutsu vs. do, the characters/ideograms become important where the practitioners, community of martial artists and karate-ka, get to see how diverse they are in translation to English. As can be seen, there are many ways to interpret the characters/ideograms all dependent on the person, the culture (their are sub-cultural beliefs and customs even in Japan), environment (there are differences, sometimes great, between towns and villages and cities in Asia), etc. that drive what it means.
In an example, I tried to use terms with an Asian who, even tho I pronounced it carefully, couldn't decide what I meant until I presented additional information as to "context of use." This seems important when deciding on which parts or many parts of a definition to use, if that is your desire.
In differentiating between the two terms, jutsu and do, I would say that like another karate-ka said in a comment that jutsu is about pragmatic application of the physical for the soul purpose of damaging another human for specified intent such as self-protection. I would then say that "Do" is about taking on a solely philosophical study and practice more about improving the self in any one or number of ways such as physical fitness and health; mental health; and other manifestations such as discipline, attitude, character and personality enhancements, etc.
As people read the supplied definitions it is noticed that jutsu and gei both provide art and technique while Do alludes to morals, Confucian/Buddhist teachings and one's way which is more in line with what most karate-ka and martial artists mean when they say they practice "karate-do."
Last, one that is often used incorrectly and interchangeably is the term, "Budo." Budo [武道] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "martial arts; military arts; Bushido." This opens a can of worms because many assume that karate is also budo meaning martial art but that would be a mistake. Just saying it is and because it was added to other appropriately labeled martial arts of Japan people assume through a bit of bias and dissonance to be what they are practicing and studying. This and many other issues have been in contention since the American Serviceman brought back to the U. S. the various forms and disciplines labeled as martial, budo, karate or what ever. It will continue with no definitive answer because it appears all this commercialized stuff in karate and martial arts has been accepted in Asian Martial/Karate communities simply because of its commercial value to culture, country and the discipline itself.
In the end, since there is no governing body that is accepted by all communities as valid and authoritative without biases, etc., like the AMA to the medical discipline, etc., it really doesn't matter except in one narrow practice of these physical methodologies, i.e., as it relates to the traditional and foundation of karate as self-protection/defense. This is because improper teachings lead to grave harm or death for those trying to use it for defense.
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