I. prēˈkȯshən, prə̇ˈk- noun
Etymology: French précaution, from Late Latin praecaution-, praecautio, from Latin praecautus (past participle of praecavēre to guard against, from prae- pre- + cavēre to be on one's guard) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at show
1. : previous caution or care : caution employed foresightedly
warned of the need for precaution
2. : a measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success : an act of foresight : a precautionary act
take precautions against accident
II. transitive verb
: to put (a person) on guard : forewarn