courtship

From court +‎ -ship.

courtship (countable and uncountable, plural courtships)

1. The act of paying court, with the intent to solicit a favor.
2. The act of wooing in love; solicitation of woman to marriage.
   • 1968, w:John Updike, Couples, Penguin, 10:

     Their courtship passed as something instantly forgotten, like an enchantment, or a mistake.

3. Courtliness; elegance of manners; courtesy.
4. Court policy; the character of a courtier; artifice of a court; court-craft; finesse.

• wooing
• See also Thesaurus:courtship