"To sear the meat" means to quickly cook the surface of the meat at high heat, creating a flavorful crust while keeping the inside moist and tender. Full definition
Except you add a step of searing the meat on the stovetop first before cooking it low and slow in a dutch oven, which is done in the oven. (greensnchocolate.com)
Most people prepare steak by first searing the meat in a skillet, then transferring it to the oven to finish cooking. (pearltrees.com)
Braising — searing the meat first in a hot pan, then adding liquid, covering, and finishing either on the stovetop or in the oven — is weeknight genius: It speeds up the cooking process. (bonappetit.com)