suitor

UK: /ˈsuːtə^r/ US: /ˈsutɚ/ ,(so̅o̅′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

suit•or /ˈsutɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a man who tries to gain the affection or love of a woman.
2. Law a person who brings a petition or complaint to a court of law.
3. Business an individual or company that seeks to buy another company.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

suit•or  (so̅o̅′tər), n. 

1. a man who courts or woos a woman.
2. Law a petitioner or plaintiff.
3. a person who sues or petitions for anything.
4. Business, Informal Terms [Informal.] an individual who seeks to buy a business.

• Latin secūtor, equivalent. to secū-, variant stem of sequī to follow + -tor -tor
• Anglo-French
• Middle English s(e)utor, suitour 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

suitor / ˈsuːtə ˈsjuːt-/ noun

1. someone who courts another person; wooer
2. a person who brings a suit in a court of law; plaintiff
3. a person who makes a request or appeal for anything

Etymology: 13th Century: from Anglo-Norman suter, from Latin secūtor follower, from sequī to follow