Preamble

n. [Fr. préambule, Sp. preambulo, It. preambolo, L. Lat. præambulum, from Lat. præambulus, walking before. See PREAMBULATE.] An introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, and the like; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

v. i. To precede any thing; to serve as a preface. We must be content to hear a preambling boast of your valor. Milton.