Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
APPROACH
I. verb see: for
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1. to draw closer to ; near , to come very near to ; be almost the same as ,
2. to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result , to take preliminary steps toward accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of , intransitive verb to draw nearer , to make an approach in golf,
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. an act or instance of approaching , approximation ,
2. the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose , a particular manner of taking such steps , a means of access ; avenue ,
4. a golf shot from the fairway toward the green, the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball, the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place