n (context|now|_|chiefly|_|historical) The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it. (defdate|from 15th c.)
n (context|international law|now|_|rare) An official record of a diplomatic meeting or negotiation; later specifically, a draft document setting out agreements to be signed into force by a subsequent formal treaty. (defdate|from 17th c.)
n (context|international law) An amendment to an official treaty. (defdate|from 19th c.)
n The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page. (defdate|from 19th c.)
n The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc. (defdate|from 19th c.)
n (science) The original notes of observations made during an experiment; also, the precise method for carrying out or reproducing a given experiment. (defdate|from 19th c.)
n The official rules and guidelines for head of state|heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state. (defdate|from 19th c.)
n (qualifier|by extension) An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group. (defdate|from 20th c.)
n (computing) A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network. (defdate|from 20th c.)
n (medicine) The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order. (defdate|from 20th c.)
v (obsolete|transitive) To make a protocol of.
v (obsolete|intransitive) To make or write protocols, or first drafts; to issue protocols.