alimentation
From Glossary of Meteorology
Generally, the process of providing nourishment or sustenance; thus, in glaciology, the combined processes that serve to increase the mass of a glacier or snowfield; the opposite of ablation.
The deposition of snow is the major form of glacial alimentation, but other forms of precipitation along with sublimation, refreezing of meltwater, etc. also contribute. The additional mass produced by alimentation is termed accumulation.
