Origin: Latin prefix pre-
Preoccupy has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively
"His work preoccupies him"
"The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else"
occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance
"the army preoccupied the hills"
To distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.