noun

regurgitation

rih-gur-jih-TAY-shun/rɪˌɡɜːrdʒɪˈteɪʃn/

The return of swallowed material toward the mouth.

The dove feeds its nestlings through regurgitation of softened food from its crop.

Simple natural bird-feeding vignette shows adult dove returning softened food from crop into two nestlings' open beaks, no gore.

Etymology

reLatinback

+gurgitatLatinengulf, flood

+ionLatinact or process

With 'back' added to a verb for flooding, the original image was fluid pouring or rushing back. The selected medical sense applies that backward flow to swallowed material returning from the stomach.

In context

Pfizer1:38

a feeling of nausea after you had a meal or even regurgitation kind of the food coming back up

Heartburn, Acid Reflux and GERD – The Differences Decoded

More examples

She experiences regurgitation after large meals.
The doctor asks whether his regurgitation occurs while lying down.
Regurgitation allows the bird to feed its chicks.

Forms

regurgitation · regurgitations

regurgitate verb — To bring swallowed material back toward the mouth.

Similar words

reflux: Reflux may reach only the esophagus, not the mouth.
vomiting: Vomiting involves forceful expulsion rather than a passive return.