The word for today is…

démarche (noun) – 1. A course of action; a manoeuvre.
2. A diplomatic representation or protest.
3. A statement or protest addressed by citizens to public authorities.

Source : The Free Dictionary

Etymology : When it comes to international diplomacy, the French may not always have the last word—but they have quite a few, many of which they’ve shared with English. We began using démarche—which in French can mean “gait,” “walk,” or “action,” among other things—in the 17th century. It was first used generally in the sense of “a manoeuvre,” and before long it developed a specific use in the world of diplomacy. Some of the other diplomacy-related words we use that come from French include attaché, chargé d’affaires, communiqué, détente, and agrément—not to mention the words diplomacy and diplomat themselves.

Peter is a fourth-generation New Zealander, with his mother's and father's folks having arrived in New Zealand in the 1870s. He lives in Lower Hutt with his wife, some cats and assorted computers. His...