An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The originator of a line of descent; a precursor.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. progeniteur, from L. progenitorem “ancestor,” agent noun from progenitus, p.p. of progignere “beget,” from → pro- “forth” + gignere “to produce, beget,” cognate with Pers. zâdan, as below.

Etymology (PE): Agent noun from zâdan “to bring forth, give birth” (Mid.Pers. zâtan; Av. zan- “to bear, give birth to a child, be born,” infinitive zazāite, zāta- “born;” cf. Skt. janati “begets, bears,”
janitár “progenitor, father;” Gk. genetor “progenitor;” L. gignere “to beget,” nasci “to be born,” as above, PIE base *gen- “to give birth, beget”).