Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Propaedeutic \Pro`p[ae]*deu"tic\, Propaedeutical
\Pro`p[ae]*deu"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ? to teach beforehand; ? before
   + ? to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. ?, ?, a
   child.]
   Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction;
   introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.

Source : WordNet®

propaedeutic
     adj : preceding and preparing for something; "preparatory steps"
           [syn: {preparatory}, {preparative}]
     n : a course that provides and introduction to an art or science
         (or to more advanced study generally) [syn: {propaedeutics}]