pilot-hole

listen to the pronunciation of pilot-hole
الإنجليزية - التركية
kılavuz delik
الإنجليزية - الإنجليزية
Alternative spelling of pilot hole
A narrow hole drilled or punched into a surface, to facilitate the insertion of a wider screw, nail, drill bit, or other boring tool

Nothing prevents splitting the wood as much as first driving a pilot hole, especially for hard wood.