I. ˈhär-bən-jər noun
Etymology: Middle English herbergere, from Anglo-French, host, from herberge camp, lodgings, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heriberga
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : a person sent ahead to provide lodgings
2.
a. : one that pioneers in or initiates a major change : precursor
b. : one that presages or foreshadows what is to come
Synonyms: see forerunner
II. transitive verb
Date: 1646
: to be a harbinger of : presage