/per'euh stawl"sis, -stal"-/ , n. , pl. peristalses /-seez/ . Physiol.
the progressive wave of contraction and relaxation of a tubular muscular system, esp. the alimentary canal, by which the contents are forced through the system.
[ 1855-60; peri- PERI- + stálsis contraction, equiv. to stal- (var. s. of stéllein to set, bring together, compress) + -sis -SIS ]