noun (n)

• (law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked(noun.act)

  Synonym:
  legal proceeding, proceedings
  

  source: wordnet30
• The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; progress or movement from one thing to another; a measure or step taken in a course of business; a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a violent proceeding.(noun)

  source: webster1913