The Collaborative International Dictionary
avant-courier
avant-courier \a*vant"-cou`ri*er\, n. [F., fr. avant before + courrier. See Avaunt, and Courier.] A person dispatched before another person or company, to give notice of his or their approach.
Wiktionary
avant-courier
n. A person dispatched before another person or company, to give notice of his or their approach.