from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ruminate \Ru"mi*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ruminated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Ruminating}.] [L. ruminatus, p. p. of ruminari,
ruminare, fr. rumen, -inis, throat, akin to ructare to belch,
erugere to belch out, Gr. ?, AS. roccettan.]
1. To chew the cud; to chew again what has been slightly
chewed and swallowed. "Cattle free to ruminate."
--Wordsworth.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To think again and again; to muse; to meditate; to
ponder; to reflect. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
Apart from the hope of the gospel, who is there that
ruminates on the felicity of heaven? --I. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]