'pre-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'prae', where 'prae-' meant 'before'. 'cut' originates from Middle English 'cutten' (from Old English and Old Norse influences), where the root meant 'to cut'.

'pre-cut' formed in Modern English by attaching the Latin-derived prefix 'pre-' to the English verb 'cut' (Middle English 'cutten'), producing the compound meaning 'cut beforehand'.

Initially it meant 'cut before' (literally 'before + cut'), and over time it has retained this core sense of something being cut or prepared in advance.