late 14c., "something that portends," from Latin praesagium "a foreboding," from praesagire "to perceive beforehand, forebode," from praesagus (adj.) "perceiving beforehand, prophetic," from prae "before" (see pre-) + sagus "prophetic," related to sagire "perceive" (see sagacious).

1560s, from Middle French présager (16c.), from présage "omen," from Latin praesagium (see presage, n.). Related: Presaged; presaging.