preparative(s = adj.all) preparatory, propaedeutic - preceding and preparing for something; "preparatory steps"
Derived forms verb prepare₁, verb prepare₄, verb prepare₅

   Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory. [1913 Webster]
"Laborious quest of knowledge preparative to this work." [1913 Webster]

1.  That which has the power of preparing, or previously fitting for a purpose; that which prepares. Hooker. [1913 Webster]

2.  That which is done in the way of preparation. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

preparative, adj. & n.
--adj. preparatory.
--n.
1 Mil. & Naut. a signal on a drum, bugle, etc., as an order to make ready.
2 a preparatory act.

Derivative:
preparatively adv.

Etymology:
ME f. OF preparatif -ive f. med.L praeparativus (as PREPARE)

N  preparation, providing, provision, providence, anticipation, precaution, preconcertation, predisposition, forecast, rehearsal, note of preparation, arrangement, clearance, adjustment, tuning, equipment, outfit, accouterment, armament, array, ripening, maturation, evolution, elaboration, concoction, digestion, gestation, batching, incubation, sitting, groundwork, first stone, cradle, stepping-stone, foundation, scaffold, scaffolding, echafaudage, training, inurement, novitiate, cooking, cookery, brewing, culinary art, tilling, plowing sowing, semination, cultivation, preparedness, readiness, ripeness, mellowness, maturity, un impromptu fait a loisir, preparer, trainer, pioneer, trailblazer, avant-courrier, avant-coureur, voortrekker, sappers and miners, pavior, navvy, packer, stevedore, warming pan, preparing, in preparation, in course of preparation, in agitation, in embryo, in hand, in train, afoot, afloat, on foot, on the stocks, on the anvil, under consideration, brewing, batching, forthcoming, brooding, in store for, in reserve, precautionary, provident, preparative, preparatory, provisional, inchoate, under revision, preliminary, prepared, in readiness, ready, ready to one's band, ready made, ready cut and dried: made to one's hand, handy, on the table, in gear, in working order, in working gear, snug, in practice, ripe, mature, mellow, pukka, practiced, labored, elaborate, highly-wrought, smelling of the lamp, worked up, in full feather, in best bib and tucker, in harness, at harness, in the saddle, in arms, in battle array, in war paint, up in arms, armed at all points, armed to the teeth, armed cap a pie, sword in hand, booted and spurred, in utrumque paratus, semper paratus, on the alert, at one's post, in preparation, in anticipation of, against, for, abroach, a bove majori discit arare minor, looking before and after, si vis pacem para bellum.