Pre*oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-pid); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying (?).] [Cf. F. pr'eoccuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy.]
1.
To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held.
2.
To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.
I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment.
Arbuthnot.
© Webster 1913.