'precut' is formed from the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before') combined with the verb 'cut' (Middle English 'cutten', of uncertain origin).

'precut' developed in Modern English by prefixing 'pre-' to 'cut'; the hyphenated form 'pre-cut' has also been commonly used in earlier written forms.

Initially, it simply indicated 'cut before (something)'; this basic meaning has been retained, used both as an adjective meaning 'already cut' and as a verb meaning 'to cut beforehand'.