ˈkästiv, ˈkȯs- adjective
Etymology: Middle English costif, modification of Middle French costivé, past participle of costiver to bind, constipate, from Latin constipare — more at constipate
1.
a. : constipated
b. : causing constipation
2.
a. : slow or stiff in action or expression : sluggish
the system … was so costive that no new design could ever be expected — Economist
readers now wearied by the costive pronouncements — Times Literary Supplement
b. : niggardly
• cos·tive·ly -stə̇vlē adverb