/ ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃn; NAmE ˌkɑːn-/ noun
[ U ] the condition of being unable to get rid of waste material from the bowels easily (= being constipated )
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense contraction of body tissues ): from late Latin constipatio(n-) , from the verb constipare , from con- together + stipare press, cram.