Origin of the word prerogative

Where did the word prerogative originate from? The questions stems from the spelling: pre-rogative. Thank you.

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pre·rog·a·tive (pri-rog'ə-tiv)
n.
An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. See synonyms at right.
The exclusive right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge: the principal's prerogative to suspend a student.
A special quality that confers superiority.
adj.
Of, arising from, or exercising a prerogative.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praerogativa, feminine of praerogativus, asked first, from praerogatus, past participle of praerogare, to ask before : prae-, pre- + rogare, to ask.]

pre·rog'a·tived adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.