Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - forerunner

 noun  Date: 13th century  1. one that precedes and indicates the approach of another: as  a. a premonitory sign or symptom  b. a skier who runs the course before the start of a race  2. predecessor, ancestor Synonyms:  ~, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another. ~ is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage the blockade was the ~ of war. precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another 18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics. harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season the herald of a new age in medicine.