praecursor, ōris, m. [praecurro], one who runs before.
I A forerunner , precursor , of a servant, Plin. Pan. 76 fin.; one who precedes on the same path , Lact. 6, 7, 3.— Esp., the forerunner of Christ , John the Baptist , Aug. Tract. in Johan. 4, 6; 4, 8.—
II Trop.: flos praecursor indolis bonae, Nazar. Pan. Const. 3 med. —
III In milit. lang., an advanced guard , vanguard , Liv. 26, 17 fin. —
B Transf., a scout , spy (cf.: emissarius, speculator), Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 41, § 108.