'prececal' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'prae-' meaning 'before' and New Latin/Latin 'caecum' meaning 'blind (gut)', forming a medical adjective meaning 'before the cecum'.

'prececal' developed in modern medical English from Neo‑Latin formations such as Medieval/Neo‑Latin 'praececalis' or 'praecaecalis' (formed from 'prae-' + 'caecum'), eventually entering English usage as 'prececal' (with variant spelling 'precaecal').

Initially, the compound essentially meant 'located before the cecum' in Neo‑Latin anatomical usage; this specific anatomical sense has been retained in modern English medical and veterinary usage.