postilion

noun

pos·​til·​ion pō-ˈstil-yən 

pə-

variants or postillion

: one who rides as a guide on the near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or post chaise especially without a coachman

Word History

Etymology

Middle French postillon mail carrier using post-horses, from Italian postiglione, from posta post — more at post entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

postilion

noun

pos·​til·​ion

variants or postillion

pō-ˈstil-yən 

pə-

: a person who rides as a guide on the left-hand horse of a pair drawing a coach