'predate' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-') meaning 'before' combined with English 'date' (from Latin 'datum' meaning 'something given' used as a time-marker).

'date' came into English via Old French 'date' from Latin 'datum'; the verb 'predate' was formed in English by adding the prefix 'pre-' to 'date', producing the sense 'to assign an earlier date' and later extended to senses such as 'precede in time' and 'prey upon'.

Initially it meant 'to assign an earlier date to (something)' or 'to give a date before', and over time it developed the broader meaning 'to occur earlier than' and the separate sense 'to prey on'.