# The single parameter is the prerequisite tag (a simple word, in all
 # capital letters by convention).
 
+test_unset_prereq () {
+       ! test_have_prereq "$1" ||
+       satisfied_prereq="${satisfied_prereq% $1 *} ${satisfied_prereq#* $1 }"
+}
+
 test_set_prereq () {
-       satisfied_prereq="$satisfied_prereq$1 "
+       case "$1" in
+       !*)
+               test_unset_prereq "${1#!}"
+               ;;
+       *)
+               satisfied_prereq="$satisfied_prereq$1 "
+               ;;
+       esac
 }
 satisfied_prereq=" "
 lazily_testable_prereq= lazily_tested_prereq=