'precursive' originates from Latin, specifically from elements related to 'praecursor'/'praecurrere', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'currere' meant 'to run'.

'precursive' developed via Latin 'praecursor' (literally 'one who runs before') and later adjectival formation in English using the suffix '-ive' to form 'precursive' from the root meaning 'to run before' (compare 'precursor').

Initially it carried the literal sense of 'running before' or 'coming ahead'; over time it evolved into the abstract adjectival sense 'serving as a precursor' or 'indicating what is to come.'