Late 16th century; earliest use found in Arthur Golding (d. 1606), translator. From Middle French presidial (adjective) of or relating to a province, provincial (1490 in cour presidiale; earlier as court presidal; also as noun; French présidial) and its etymon post-classical Latin praesidialis, variant of praesidalis relating to the governor of a province (in a 3rd-cent. text) from classical Latin praesid-, praeses governor of a province + -ālis<br>late 16th century (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin praesidium garrison + -al, after Italian presidiale.