Also 4–6 corant. [a. F. courant, OF. also curant, corant:—L. current-em running.]
A. adj. † a. Running: early form of CURRENT a. q.v.
b. Her. Applied to figures of animals represented as running. (Formerly also current.)
1727. Bailey, II. Coura′nt [in Heraldry], running, as a buck courant.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xvii. 262. Three greyhounds courant in pale.
1886. Miss Yonge, Armourer’s Prentices, 29. Crest, a buck Courant.
† B. sb.1 A running-string; see quot. Obs.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XIX. i. (1634), II. 3. A … net … together with the cords and strings called Courants, running along the edges to draw it in and let it out.
