vaunt-cour|i|er

vaunt-cour|i|er «VAWNT KUR ee uhr, VAHNT-», noun.

1. a person or thing sent in advance to prepare for or announce the approach of another; forerunner.

2. Obsolete. one of the soldiers or horsemen sent before an army or body of troops; an advance guard; scout.

╂[short for Old French avant-coureur (literally) forerunner < avant forward + coureur courier]