Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAR'BIN-GER, n. [See Harbor. Harbinger is properly a person who goes to provide harbor or lodgings for those that follow.]

1. In England, an officer of the king's household who rides a day's journey before the court when traveling, to provide lodgings and other accommodations. Encyc.
2. A forerunner; a precursor; that which precedes and gives notice of the expected arrival of something else.