Pursuivant

Origin

Middle English, from Old French pursuivant, present participle of pursuivre (‘to follow’).

Full definition of pursuivant

Noun

1. (archaic) follower
2. (heraldry) a herald of the College of Arms
3. A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds.
• LongfellowThe herald Hope, forerunning Fear,
  And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope.
4. (freemasonry) a Grand Lodge Officer who guards the inner door during a meeting of the Grand Lodge
5. The king's messenger; a state messenger.
• MacaulayOne pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered.