'prerequisite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'prærequīsītus,' where 'præ-' meant 'before' and 'requīsītus' meant 'required.'

'prærequīsītus' transformed into the French word 'prérequis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prerequisite' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'something required beforehand,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.