The term 'WORD BEFORE DOG OR BANANA' is a crossword puzzle solution with the answer being 'TOP, ' which is a three-letter word. The word 'TOP' can be used in many contexts, such as to describe the highest point of something, the most important person or thing, or the best of something. It can also be used to refer to the surface of something, or to the lid or cover of a container. In this particular context, it could be referring to the highest point of a dog or banana, or the lid of a container that holds either a dog or a banana.