Etymology: In sense 1 < classical Latin precārium (see precarium n.); compare Middle French, French précaire (1539 in this sense; now historical). In senses 2 and 3 < post-classical Latin precaria boon-work (frequently from 12th cent. in British sources), precarial tenure, land held by precarial tenure (9th cent.), precarial grant (7th cent.), precarial deed, recording grant of land in response to a request (7th cent.), use as noun (short for charta precaria precarial deed) of feminine singular of classical Latin precārius (adjective) obtained by entreaty or prayer (see precarious adj.); compare detailed treatment of post-classical Latin precaria in J. F. Niermeyer Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus (1976) at that entry and Du Cange Gloss. Mediae et Infimae Latinitatis (1678) at that entry); in sense 2 after French précaire long-term grant of ecclesiastical property to laypeople (1689 in the passage translated in quot. 1694 at sense 2); compare precarium n. 2. With sense 2 compare also post-classical Latin precatoria (see precatory adj.).Compare the following examples of post-classical Latin precaria in sense 3 as an unassimilated loan in English contexts:1670 T. Blount Νομο-λεξικον: Law-dict. Precariæ, Days Works, which the Tenants of some Mannors are bound to give the Lord in Harvest,..corruptly called Bind days, for Biden days.1883 F. Seebohm Eng. Village Community 41 There are precariæ, or ‘boon-days’, sometimes called bene works—special or extra services which the lord has a right to require, sometimes the lord providing food for the day, and sometimes the tenant providing for himself.

Etymology: < classical Latin precārius (see precarious adj.), perhaps after French précaire; compare -ary suffix¹.