Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Proem \Pro"em\, n. [L. prooemium, Gr. ?; ? before + ? way,
   course or strain of a song: cf. F. pro[`e]me.]
   Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.

         Thus much may serve by way of proem.     --Swift.

Proem \Pro"em\, v. t.
   To preface. [Obs.] --South.