Appeal in French to doctor (7)
I believe the answer is:
entreat
'appeal' is the definition.
(I know that entreat is a more specific form of the action plead)
'in french to doctor' is the wordplay.
'in french' becomes 'en' ('in' in French).
'to doctor' becomes 'treat' (doctor can mean to give medical treatment).
'en'+'treat'='ENTREAT'
(Other definitions for entreat that I've seen before include "Beg earnestly, appeal" , "Beg earnestly or emotionally" , "go begging?" , "petition" , "Request earnestly" .)