Runner

wiktionary

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From Middle English rennere, rynner, urnare, equivalent to run +‎ -er. Cognate with Old Norse rennari(“runner; messenger”). Compare Middle English runel(“runner”), from Old English rynel(“runner; messenger; courier”).

etymonline

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runner (n.)

c. 1300, "messenger on foot," agent noun from run (v.). The meaning "one who runs, a racer" is from early 14c.

With many technical senses. The meaning "smuggler, one who risks or evades dangers, impediments, or legal restrictions" is by 1721; the sense of "police officer" is from 1771. The botanical meaning "rooting stem of a plant" is from 1660s. The sense of "embroidered cloth for a table" is from 1888. In baseball, "a base-runner," by 1845.