[f. FORE- pref. + GANGER; = Ger. vorgänger, Du. voorganger.]
† 1. One who or that which goes before: a. a forerunner, a harbinger; b. a predecessor. Obs.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 4151.
| Wharfor 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 | |
| His ways to wyse, his lawes to lere, | |
| Both man and wyfe that has offende. |
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. Both of them escaped, by the breaking of the ‘fore-ganger,’ or that part of the line immediately connnected 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, and exposure to weather.
