[pro.to.col] n [MF prothocole, fr. ML protocollum, fr. LGk protokollon first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing data of manufacture, fr. Gk prot- prot- + kollan to glue together, fr. kolla glue; perh. akin to MD helen to glue] (1541) 1: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
2. a: a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty b: the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators 3 a: a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military services) b: a set of conventions governing the treatment and esp. the formatting of data in an electronic communications system
4: a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure