'foremother' originates from English, specifically from the prefix 'fore-' (Old English 'for') meaning 'before, in front of' and 'mother' (Old English 'mōdor') meaning 'female parent'.

'foremother' developed as a compound in Modern English by combining 'fore-' (used in compounds like 'forefather') with 'mother'; its components trace back to Old English words 'for' + 'mōdor'.

Initially it straightforwardly denoted a woman ancestor; over time it has also taken on a more figurative sense meaning 'a founding or pioneering woman' in a movement or tradition.