In Frenob oriminal law. The first process of a criminal prosecu-tiou. It Includes the examination of the ac-cused, the preliminary interrogation of wit-nesses, collateral investigations, the gathering of evidence, the reduction of the whole to order, and the preparation of a document containing a detailed statement of the case, to serve as a brief for the prosecuting officers, and to furnish material for the indict-ment
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
