Es`ta*fet", Es`ta*fette" (?), 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.
© Webster 1913.