Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Afore \A*fore"\, adv. [OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or
   [ae]tforan; pref. a- + fore.]
   1. Before. [Obs.]

            If he have never drunk wine afore.    --Shak.

   2. (Naut.) In the fore part of a vessel.

Afore \A*fore"\, prep.
   1. Before (in all its senses). [Archaic]

   2. (Naut.) Before; in front of; farther forward than; as,
      afore the windlass.

   {Afore the mast}, among the common sailors; -- a phrase used
      to distinguish the ship's crew from the officers.