incunabulum

CIDE DICTIONARY

incunabulum, n. [L. incunabula cradle, birthplace, origin. See 1st In-, and Cunabula.].

A work of art or of human industry, of an early epoch; especially, a book printed before a. d. 1500. [1913 Webster]

incunabulum, n. (pl. incunabula)
1 a book printed at an early date, esp. before 1501.
2 (in pl.) the early stages of the development of a thing.

Etymology

L incunabula swaddling-clothes, cradle (as IN-(2), cunae cradle)