Wordnet 3.0
ADJECTIVE (1)
1. 
 retarding evacuation of feces; 
 binding; 
 constipating; 
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Costive \Cos"tive\ (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev['e], p. p. of
   costever, F. constiper, L. constipare to press closely
   together, to cram; con- + stipare to press together, cram.
   See Stipulate, Stiff, and cf. Constipate.]
   1. Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a
      motion of the bowels; constipated.
      [1913 Webster]
   2. Reserved; formal; close; cold. [Obs.] "A costive brain."
      --Prior. "Costive of laughter." --B. Jonson.
      [1913 Webster]
            You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and
            close, but without being costive.     --Lord
                                                  Chesterfield.
      [1913 Webster]
   3. Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]
            Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the
            sun and wind.                         --Mortimer.
      [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
costive
    adj 1: retarding evacuation of feces; binding; constipating
           [ant: laxative]