deglutition
noun
de·glu·ti·tion ˌdē-glü-ˈti-shən 
ˌde-glü-
: the act or process of swallowing
Did you know?
Deglutition comes to us from the French word déglutition, which is derived from the Latin verb deglutire, meaning "to swallow down." "Deglutire," in turn, derives from de- and glutire, a verb meaning "to swallow." "Deglutition" is a fairly rare word these days, but it has a relative in English that is quite familiar: the noun glutton, meaning "one who eats to excess." "Glutton" comes from a Latin word ("glutto") that is related to "glutire."
Word History
Etymology
French déglutition, from Latin deglutire to swallow down, from de- + glutire, gluttire to swallow — more at glutton
First Known Use
1650, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
deglutition
noun
de·glu·ti·tion ˌdē-ˌglü-ˈtish-ən ˌdeg-ˌlü-
ˌdeg-ˌlü- : the act, power, or process of swallowing