Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - suitor

 noun  Etymology: Middle English sutour, suytour, follower, petitioner, from Anglo-French siuter, suytour, from Latin secutor follower, from sequi to follow — more at sue  Date: 15th century  1. one that petitions or entreats  2. a party to a suit at law  3. one who courts a woman or seeks to marry her  4. one who seeks to take over a business