courting

When a Muslim or chaste person of the Book (Christian, Jew) gets to know another person of the opposite sex with the purpose of seeking marriage. When two people are courting they are meeting and getting to know each while maintains their religions rules and etiquette of modesty and gender interactions. It was more commonly used up to to early 20th century, up to the end of the Victorian era. The culture of getting intimate with the opposite sex has changed and evolved. Now in the 21st century the term dating is more commonly used, where 2 people will meet and form a relationship without marriage in mind. Only when the relationship is on full swing will the dating couple consider marriage. This is why it's assumed (with exceptions existing ofcourse) that two people that are courting are most likely Muslim, or chaste people of the Book.