The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Masticate \Mas"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masticated; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Masticating.] [L. masticatus, p. p. of
   masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See Mastic.]
   To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth and prepare for
   swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food.
   [1913 Webster]