plication

noun3

1. •
   An act of folding.
2. •
   A surgical procedure in which a body part is strengthened or shortened by pulling together folds of excess material, and suturing them into place.
3. •
   A fold or pleat.

   • But the recognition of nappes set out the research project: you need not simply throw up your hands in despair at perverse plications and ceaseless crenelations in the Alps. — 2004