1640s, "predisposition, prejudice," also "act of taking possession beforehand" (a sense now rare), noun of action from prepossess (v.).
Entries linking to prepossession
prepossess v.
1610s, "to get possession of (ground or land) beforehand," from pre- "before" + possess. Meaning "to possess (a person) beforehand with a feeling, notion, etc." is from 1630s; specifically, "to cause (someone) to have a favorable opinion of something, preoccupy the mind or heart of" (1640s). Related: Prepossessed; prepossessing.