To court someone comes from the word courtship. It describes the period of time before two people enter a relationship. The word courtship can mean many things to different cultures, with some describing it as an inherently religious practice.

How does courtship begin?

Courtship ordinarily begins when a single man approaches a single woman by going through the womans father, and then conducts his relationship with the woman under the authority of her father, family, or church, whichever is most appropriate.