Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Donne (1572–1631), poet and Church of England clergyman. From pre- + imagine. Compare post-classical Latin praeimaginare.
Definition of pre-imagine in US English:
pre-imagine
verb
with objectTo imagine beforehand, to preconceive.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Donne (1572–1631), poet and Church of England clergyman. From pre- + imagine. Compare post-classical Latin praeimaginare.