What is "foreganger"

Foreganger \Fore"gang`er\, n. [Prop., a goer before cf. G. voreg["a]nger. See Fore, and Gang.] (Naut.) A short rope grafted on a harpoon, to which a longer line may be attached.
--Totten.

n. 1 (context archaic rare English) One who or that which goes before; a forerunner; a harbinger; a predecessor. 2 (context nautical English) A short rope grafted on a harpoon, to which a longer line may be attached.