Pre‐lude″ (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n.Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. préluder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.
The musicians preluded on their instruments. Sir. W. Scott.
We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point. Jeffrey.