v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preoccupied p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying ] [ Cf. F. préoccuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy. ] 1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice. [ 1913 Webster ]
I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]