A quick question
 

Hello fellow musicians and music enthusiasts!

I just wanted to see if any of you guys here have the answer to a question that has had me tear my hair for a long time. The question is as follows:

In some songs, especialy songs with orchestral instruments, you can sometimes hear some of the "background" instruments play down the scale, the same way as igf you were to drag your finger down the piano keys. It' usualy kind of subtle in the background, and doesn't last very long. So, does this technique have a certain name?

I believe you may be referring to this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arpeggio

Or maybe this? A descending chromatic scale..