peristaltic Definition

peristalsis
noun

peristalses
1. physiol.
In hollow tubular organs, especially the intestines and oesophagus: the waves of involuntary muscle contractions that force the contents of the tube, eg food, further forward.

Derivative: peristaltic
adj

Etymology: 18c; peristaltic, first used in 17c: from Greek peristellein to contract round.