'pre-date' (modern English formation) originates from the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin prae meaning 'before') combined with 'date' (from Latin 'datum', past participle of 'dare', meaning 'given' or 'a day'), formed in English to mean 'to assign an earlier date'.

Separately, an older root related to predation comes from Latin 'praedari' (to plunder) and 'praeda' (booty, prey); English developed both senses, with the 'precede in time' sense arising from the compound 'pre-date' and the 'prey/plunder' sense linked to the Latin-derived 'predat-' family (as in 'predator').

Initially, formations from Latin ('praedari') focused on plundering ('to prey'), while the relatively newer English compound 'pre-date' originally meant 'to assign an earlier date'; both senses now coexist in modern usage of 'predate'.