Crowdsourcing an architectural term.

Okay, sometimes I need to ask random people on LJ for their knowledge.

When a building has windows in its basement / semi-basement, sometimes there is a sunken space built in front of the window, about the size of a balcony, only built below ground level, so the window is partially below and partially above ground level; it may or may not be accessible from inside the building. What is that space called? Surely there must be an architectural technical term, and I am trying to find it out and it's bothering me.

Edited: I think that would fit under the term 'sunken terrace'.