Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
HERALD
I. noun see: harry
1. an official at a tournament of arms with duties including the making of an noun cements and the marshaling of combatants, an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war, c. officer of arms , an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms, an official crier or messenger,
3. one that precedes or foreshadows, one that conveys news or proclaims ; an noun cer , one who actively promotes or advocates ; exponent , see: forerunner
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
to give notice of ; an noun ce ,
2. to greet especially with enthusiasm ; hail , publicize , to signal the approach of ; foreshadow