from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Peristaltic \Per`i*stal"tic\, a. [Gr. ? clasping and
compressing, fr. ? to surround, wrap up; ? round + ? to
place, arrange: cf. F. p['e]ristaltique.] (Physiol.)
Pertaining to a wormlike wave motion of the intestines, and
by analogy, of other flexible tubular structures. In the body
it is produced by a progressive contraction of the muscular
fibers of their walls, forcing their contents onwards in the
direction of the wave; as, peristaltic movement. --
{Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly}, adv.
[1913 Webster]