foreganger
(ˈfɔəgæŋə(r))
[f. fore- prefix + ganger; = Ger. vorgänger, Du. voorganger.]
† 1. One who or that which goes before: a. a fore-runner, a harbinger; b. a predecessor. Obs.
| 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 4152, I hald þir gret mysdoers Als anticrist lyms and his forgangers. c 1460 Towneley Myst. (Surtees) 165, I go before bodword to bere, And as forgangere am I send. |
2. Naut. a. ‘A short piece of rope immediately connecting the line with the shank of the harpoon, when spanned for killing’ (Adm. Smyth). Cf. foregoer, -runner. b. (See quot. 1867.) [So Du. voorganger.]
| 1794 Rigging & Seamanship I. 64 Yarn for foregangers is made of the best dressed long hemp. 1823 Scoresby Jrnl. Whale Fishery 288 The ‘fore-ganger’, or that part of the line immediately connected with the harpoon. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Fore-ganger of the Chain Bower Cables, is a length of 15 fathoms of stouter chain, in consequence of greater wear and tear near the anchor. |