preempt.

To appropriate first.

He preempted that hill to be its king.

To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).

Floppy disks were preempted by CDs.

To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.

To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).

To make a preemptive bid at bridge.

A preemptive bid.

A guaranteed publication deal contingent upon the work being immediately taken off the market and offered to nobody else.