Harbinger
Harbinger (har"bin*jẽr) , noun
[Old English herbergeour, Old French herbergeor one who provides lodging, from herbergier to provide lodging, French héberger, Old French herberge lodging, inn, French 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
2.
A forerunner; a precursor; a messenger.
I knew by these harbingers who were coming.
Harbinger (har"bin*jẽrd) , transitive verb
To usher in; to be a harbinger of.
Thus did the star of religious freedom harbinger the day.