Foreganger

Origin

From Middle English foreganger, from Old English *foregangere, from foregangan ("to go before, precede, go in front of, project, excel"), equivalent to - + ganger. Cognate with Scots foregangare ("a foregoer"), Dutch voorganger ("a predecessor, progenitor"), German Vorgänger ("a predecessor, precursor"), Swedish föregångare ("a forerunner, precursor, progenitor").

Full definition of foreganger

Noun

1. (archaic, rare) One who or that which goes before; a forerunner; a harbinger; a predecessor.
2. (nautical) A short rope grafted on a harpoon, to which a longer line may be attached.