Etymology Dictionary

HARBINGER,  a forerunner.  (F.,—O.H.G.)   In Shak. Macb. i. 4. 45.   See Trench, Select Glossary.   The n stands for r, and the older form is M.E. herbergeour, one who provided lodgings for a host or army of people.   This sense is retained in Bacon, who says:  'There was a harbinger who had lodged a gentleman in a very ill room;' Apophthegms, no. 54.   'The fame anon throughout the toun is born... By herbergeours that wenten him beforn;' Chaucer, C. T. 5417.   In the title of the legend of St. Julian, in Bodley MS. 1596, fol. 4, he is called 'St. Julian the gode herberjour,' i.e. the good harbourer.   Herbergeour is formed (by help of the suffix -our, denoting the agent) from the O.F. herberger, 'to harbour, lodge, or dwell in a house;' Cot. (and see Burguy).—O.F. herberge, 'a house, harbour, lodging;' Cot.; mod. F. auberge.—M.H.G. herberge, O.H.G. hereberga, a lodging, harbour; see further under Harbour.