a small portion of a food or drink served before or at the beginning of a meal to stimulate the desire to eat.

any small portion that stimulates a desire for more or that indicates more is to follow

The first game was an appetizer to a great football season.

noun

meal

noun

antipasto , aperitif , canap , cocktail , dip , finger food , hors d’oeuvre , munchies , relish , sample , spread , taste , tidbitnotes:aperitif is a drink to stimulate the appetite and appetizer is food that does this before a meal , canape , delicacy , hors d\'oeuvre , salad , sauce , savory , snack , teaser , tidbit , zest