/ ˈhɑːbɪndʒə(r); NAmE ˈhɑːrb-/ noun
harbinger (of sth) ( formal or literary ) a sign that shows that sth is going to happen soon, often sth bad
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French herbergere , from herbergier provide lodging for, from herberge lodging, from Old Saxon heriberga shelter for an army, lodging (from heri army + a Germanic base meaning fortified place), related to harbour . The term originally denoted a person who provided lodging, later one who went ahead to find lodgings for an army or for a nobleman and his party, hence, a herald (mid 16th cent.).