preseason

pre- +‎ season

preseason (plural preseasons)

1. The period before the start of a sporting season, during which players undergo training and venues are prepared

• Also used attributively as an adjective.

preseason (third-person singular simple present preseasons, present participle preseasoning, simple past and past participle preseasoned)

1. (transitive) To season in advance.
   • 2004, Molly Stevens, All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking (page 10)

     The most popular Dutch ovens are constructed of enameled cast iron, which requires none of the preseasoning and special care of ordinary cast iron but maintains the same gentle, even heat.

• open-arses