retortion
/rɪˈtɔːʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
(In international law) retaliation by a state on another’s subjects.It followed that retortion could not always be regarded as a legitimate action from the standpoint of international law....
- A 1447 toll on the Prussian towns' vessels was rather in the nature of retortion than the pursuit of a consistent policy.
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense 'bending or turning backwards'): from retort1, perhaps on the pattern of contortion.