Definition of: protocol

(prō′tə·kol) noun
1. The preliminary draft of an official document, as a treaty; specifically, the preliminary draft or report of the negotiations and conclusions arrived at by a diplomatic conference, having the force of a treaty when ratified.
2. The rules of diplomatic and state etiquette and ceremony.
—v.i. To write or form protocols. [<OF prothocole <Med. L protocollum <LGk. prōtokollon the first glued sheet of a papyrus roll <prōtos first + kolla glue]