The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Fig.: To think again and again; to muse; to meditate; to
      ponder; to reflect. --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

            Apart from the hope of the gospel, who is there that
            ruminates on the felicity of heaven?  --I. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]