demur vs protest

demur

verb
  • To scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk 

  • To interpose a demurrer. 

  • To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair. 

noun
  • An act of hesitation as to proceeding; a scruple; also, a suspension of action or decision; a pause, a stop. 

protest

verb
  • To object to. 

  • to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by non-acceptance or non-payment of (a bill or note). This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix. 

  • To affirm (something). 

  • To make a strong objection. 

  • To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to. 

noun
  • The noting by a notary public of an unpaid or unaccepted bill. 

  • A written declaration, usually by the master of a ship, stating the circumstances attending loss or damage of ship or cargo, etc. 

  • A formal objection, especially one by a group. 

  • A collective gesture of disapproval; a demonstration. 

How often have the words demur and protest occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )