Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PROTEST
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from protester
Date: 15th century
a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: as, a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage, a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that payment is not voluntary, the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval , a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action , an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport,
II. verb see: pro-
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to make solemn declaration or affirmation of , to execute or have executed a formal protest against (as a bill or note), to make a statement or gesture in objection to , intransitive verb to make a protestation, to make or enter a protest, see: assert protester or protestor noun