'pre-dawn' originates from the Latin prefix 'pre-' (via English 'pre-'), ultimately from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before', combined with the English word 'dawn', which comes from Old English 'dagian'/'dæg' meaning 'to become day' or 'day'.

'pre-' was attached to the English noun 'dawn' in Modern English to form the compound 'pre-dawn' (also written later as 'predawn'); 'dawn' itself evolved from Old English 'dagian'/'dæg' and related West Germanic roots.

Initially it literally meant 'before the coming of day'; over time the meaning has remained largely the same but broadened to refer also to the low light or hours immediately preceding sunrise.