c.1374, in logic, "a previous proposition from which another follows," from O.Fr.
premisse, from M.L.
premissa (propositio) "(the proposition) set before," fem. pp. of L.
præmittere "send or put before," from
præ- "before" +
mittere "to send" (see
mission). In legal documents it meant "matter previously stated" (1429), which in deeds or wills often was a house or building, hence extended meaning of "house or building, with grounds" (1730). The verb meaning "to state before something else" is from 1526.