Early 16th century; earliest use found in William Bonde (d. 1530), Bridgettine monk and author. From post-classical Latin praelibation-, praelibatio anticipation (early 3rd cent. in Tertullian), tasting beforehand, offering of the first-fruits (recorded in an 8th-cent. epitome of a 2nd-cent. grammarian) from classical Latin praelībāt-, past participial stem of praelībāre + -iō.