foreshadowing

(noun) the act of providing vague advance indications; representing beforehand. Synonyms: prefiguration, adumbration.

(verb) indicate by signs. Synonyms: bode, portend, auspicate, prognosticate, omen, presage, betoken, foreshadow, augur, foretell, prefigure, forecast, predict. Example: "These signs bode bad news."

(adj) indistinctly prophetic. Synonyms: adumbrative, prefigurative.