n. & v.
n. 1 an official messenger bringing news. 2 a forerunner (spring is the herald of summer). 3 a hist. an officer responsible for State ceremonial and etiquette. b Brit. an official of the Heralds' College.
v.tr. proclaim the approach of; usher in (the storm heralded trouble). Heralds' College Brit. colloq. = College of Arms.
[ ME f. OF herau(l)t, herauder f. Gmc ]