'precatechumenal' is formed from the Latin prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-' meaning 'before') combined with 'catechumenal', which ultimately derives from Greek 'katekhoumenos' (related to 'katecheo' meaning 'to instruct orally').

'catechumen' comes from Greek 'katekhoumenos' → Late Latin 'catechumenus' → Middle English 'catechumen'; the adjective 'catechumenal' developed from these forms, and English then created 'precatechumenal' by adding the prefix 'pre-' to indicate the period before the catechumenate.

Initially terms related to 'catechumen' denoted 'one being instructed'; over time the derived adjective came to mean 'relating to instruction for baptism,' and 'precatechumenal' specifically came to mean 'pertaining to the preparatory stage before formal catechetical instruction.'