mas ‧ ti ‧ cate /ˈmæstəkeɪt, ˈmæstɪkeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: past participle of masticare , from Greek mastichan 'to press the teeth together' ]
formal to chew food
—mastication /ˌmæstəˈkeɪʃ ə n, ˌmæstɪˈkeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]