courtship

noun7

1. •
   The act of wooing a person to enter into a romantic relationship or marriage; hence, the period during which a couple fall in love before their marriage.

   • Be merry, and employ your cheefest thoughts / To Courtship, and such faire ostents of loue, / As shall conueniently become you there. — 1596
2. •
   The behaviour exhibited by an animal to attract a mate.
3. •
   (figurative) The act of trying to solicit a favour or support from someone.

   • His head grows fevered, and his pulse / The quick successive throbs convulse; / In vain from side to side he throws / His form, in courtship of repose; [...] — 1816
4. •
   The act of paying court, that is, demonstrating such politeness and respect as is traditionally given at a court (“a formal assembly of a sovereign's retinue”).
5. •
   (no longer used) The ceremonial performance of acts of courtesy to a dignitary, etc.
6. •
   (no longer used) Elegance or propriety of manners fitting for a court; courtliness; (by extension) courteous or polite behaviour; courtesy.

   • King. How Madame? Russians? / Quee[n]. I [i.e., ay] in trueth My Lord. / Trim gallants, full of Courtship and of state. — 1595
7. •
   (no longer used) The pursuit of being a courtier, such as exercising diplomacy, finesse, etc.; also, the artifices and intrigues of a court; courtcraft.