pilot hole

Noun

 * 1) A narrow hole drilled or punched into a surface, to facilitate the insertion of a wider screw, nail, drill bit, or other boring tool.
 * 2) * 1970, Andy Lang, "Right Nail Hits the Spot," St Petersburg Times, 25 Oct., p. 5-G (retrieved 7 Dec. 2008),
 * Nothing prevents splitting the wood as much as first driving a pilot hole, especially for hard wood.
 * Nothing prevents splitting the wood as much as first driving a pilot hole, especially for hard wood.