what is the gaming term for the waiting period before a player can use an action again

The gaming term for the waiting period before a player can use an action again is called a "cooldown." This refers to the time a player must wait after using a skill or ability before being able to use it again. Cooldowns can vary in length from a few seconds to several minutes or longer, depending on the power of the skill or action. This mechanic helps to prevent continuous spamming of abilities and is commonly found in many game genres, including RPGs, FPS, and MMOs.