Late 15th century; earliest use found in Gilbert Hay (c1397–c1465), soldier and poet. From classical Latin prooemium (also prohoemium, prohēmium) preface, preamble, introductory part of a speech, beginning, prelude, (in music) prelude, overture (Cicero) from ancient Greek προοίμιον preamble, introductory part of a speech, beginning, prelude, (in music) prelude, overture from προ- + οἴμη song + -ιον, suffix forming nouns, perhaps via the phrase πρὸ οἴμης before the song.