antependium
noun
an·te·pen·di·um ˌan-ti-ˈpen-dē-əm 
plural antependiums or antependia ˌan-ti-ˈpen-dē-ə
: a hanging for the front of an altar, pulpit, or lectern
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin, from Latin ante- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined above