liminary
/ˈlɪmɪn(ə)ri/adjective
Introductory; preparatory; (of a letter, etc.) prefatory; specifically: †(of syphilis) in the initial stage (in which the disease typically involves the skin), primary.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Florio (1553–1625), author and teacher of languages. From (i) Middle French, French liminaire (of a letter) prefatory.