ETYMOLOGY
from Latin praeviant-, praevians, present participle of præviare (to go before),
from præ-, (pre-) + viare to travel
EXAMPLE
“… Thirdly, and most especially, because that God oftentimes pardoning the ignorance, which men have of Himselfe and the creature, doth so enlighten the heart with His Holy Spirit, that it is suddenly framed without any previant knowledge, to faith and obedience. …”
From: A Treatise Concerning the Trinitie in Unitie
By Alexander Gil, 1601
Lexicophilia 