n. [ OE. herbergeour, OF. herbergeor one who provides lodging, fr. herbergier to provide lodging, F. héberger, OF. herberge lodging, inn, F. auberge; of German origin. See Harbor. ] 1. One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal household who formerly preceded the court when traveling, to provide and prepare lodgings. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A forerunner; a precursor; a messenger. [ 1913 Webster ]

I knew by these harbingers who were coming. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Harbingered p. pr. & vb. n. Harbingering. ] To usher in; to be a harbinger of. “Thus did the star of religious freedom harbinger the day.” Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]