English
forework
From fore- + work.
Proto-Indo-European *per- ‘before, formerly’
Proto-Germanic *fura- ‘before, in front of, for’
Proto-West Germanic *forē- ‘before, in front of, fore-, pre-’
English fore-
Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- ‘to make’
…
Proto-Germanic *werką
Proto-West Germanic *werk
Old English weorc ‘labor’
Middle English work
English work
Today it means
noun A fortifying structure erected for defense, such as an embankment, wall, or tower.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / forework