Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ruminate \Ru"mi*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ruminated}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Ruminating}.] [L. ruminatus, p. p. of ruminari,
   ruminare, fr. rumen, -inis, throat, akin to ructare to belch,
   erugere to belch out, Gr. ?, AS. roccettan.]
   1. To chew the cud; to chew again what has been slightly
      chewed and swallowed. ``Cattle free to ruminate.''
      --Wordsworth.

   2. Fig.: To think again and again; to muse; to meditate; to
      ponder; to reflect. --Cowper.

            Apart from the hope of the gospel, who is there that
            ruminates on the felicity of heaven?  --I. Taylor.