Term for Digital Camera delay between shots?

I don't know if the problem is also related to shutter lag or shutter delay; the problem I need to describe is the time a camera takes after one shot, to be ready for the next shot. With my last two cameras, it's been the same problem. Take one shot now and you can't shoot again in like 5 to 7 seconds. It's even worse at night, with delays of 12 to 15 seconds before you can take the next shot. I have read about shutter lag, but it only seems to describe the time the camera takes to record a shot after pressing the shutter on, which has not been much of a problem with my previous digital cameras. It's the waiting for the camera to be ready for the next shot what annoys me the most. If I take a shot of something or someone ping by, by the time the camera is ready for the next shot, what I was trying to shoot is long gone. Any enlightenment is welcome and thanks in advance!!!