Procedure, n.
Etymology: [F. procédure. See Proceed.]
1. The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct. "The true procedure of conscience." South.
2. A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding. "Gracious procedures." I. Taylor.
3. That which results; issue; product. [Obs.] Bacon.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for procedure; he lists it under operation.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.