verb (used without object), re·gur·gi·tat·ed, re·gur·gi·tat·ing.
- to surge or rush back, as liquids, gases, undigested food, etc.
verb (used with object), re·gur·gi·tat·ed, re·gur·gi·tat·ing.
- to cause to surge or rush back; vomit.
- to give back or repeat, especially something not fully understood or assimilated: to regurgitate the teacher’s lectures on the exam.
verb
- to vomit forth (partially digested food)
- (of some birds and certain other animals) to bring back to the mouth (undigested or partly digested food with which to feed the young)
- (intr) to be cast up or out, esp from the mouth
- (intr) med (of blood) to flow backwards, in a direction opposite to the normal one, esp through a defective heart valve
1640s (intransitive), 1753 (transitive), back formation from regurgitation, or else from Medieval Latin regurgitatus, past participle of regurgitare. Meaning “to vomit” first attested 1753. Related: Regurgitated; regurgitating.
v.
- To rush or surge back.
- To cause to pour back, especially to cast up partially digested food.