'pre-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'prae', where 'prae' meant 'before'; 'vocalic' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'vocalis' (from 'vox'), where 'vox' meant 'voice'.

'pre-vocalic' changed from the earlier unhyphenated form 'prevocalic' (a compound of Latin-derived elements) and entered technical usage in modern English phonetics as 'prevocalic' and often appears as 'pre-vocalic'.

Initially, it meant 'before the voice/vowel', but over time it evolved into its current technical meaning of 'occurring before a vowel sound'.