rumination

Ru`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. ruminatio: cf. F. rumination.] 1. The act or process of ruminating, or chewing the cud; the habit of chewing the cud. Rumination is given to animals to enable them at once to lay up a great store of food, and afterward to chew it. Arbuthnot. 2. The state of being disposed to ruminate or ponder; deliberate meditation or reflection. Retiring full of rumination sad. Thomson. 3. (Physiol.) Defn: The regurgitation of food from the stomach after it has been swallowed, -- occasionally oberved as a morbid phenomenon in man.

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