estafette

{ ‖ } n. [ F. estafette, cf. Sp. estafeta; fr. It. stafetta, fr. staffa stirrup, fr. OHG. stapho footstep, footprint, G. stapfe; akin to E. step. ] A courier who conveys messages to another courier; a military courier sent from one part of an army to another. [ 1913 Webster ]