[1530–40; fore- + time]This word is first recorded in the period 1530–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: analogy, enclosure, explode, illegitimate, rigidfore- is a prefix meaning “before” (in space, time, condition, etc.), “front,” “superior,”etc. Other words that use the affix fore- include: forecast, forecastle, forehead, foreman, foretell