protocol

The story

1. Medieval Greek · derived fromπρωτόκολλον“first sheet glued onto a manuscript”
2. Late Latin · derived fromprotocollum“the first sheet of a volume (on which contents and errata were written)”
3. Middle French · borrowed fromprotocolle, protocole“document, record”
4. English todayprotocol

Borrowed from Middle French protocolle, protocole (“document, record”), from Late Latin protocollum (“the first sheet of a volume (on which contents and errata were written)”), from Medieval Greek πρωτόκολλον (prōtókollon, “first sheet glued onto a manuscript”), from πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”) + κόλλα (kólla, “glue”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. 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.
• from 17th c. 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.
• from 19th c. An amendment to an official treaty.
• from 19th c. The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page.
• from 19th c. The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc.
• from 19th c. The original notes of observations made during an experiment.
• from 19th c. The precise method for carrying out or reproducing a given experiment.
• from 19th c. The official rules and guidelines for heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state.