Pioneer
Pioneer , noun
[French pionier, orig., a foot soldier, Old French peonier, from Old French peon a foot soldier, French pion. See Pawn in chess.]
1.
(Military) A soldier detailed or employed to form roads, dig trenches, and make bridges, as an army advances.
2.
One who goes before, as into the wilderness, preparing the way for others to follow; as, pioneers of civilization; pioneers of reform.
Pioneer , verb, transitive and intransitive
1.
To go before, and prepare or open a way for; to act as pioneer.
2.
to take part in the early development of; to break ground in; to invent or originate.