Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Constipation
Conˊsti-pa′tion
,Noun.
[L.
constipatio
a crowding together: cf. F. constipation
.] 1.
Act of crowding anything into a less compass, or the state of being crowded or pressed together; condensation.
[Obs.]
Fullness of matter, or a pretty close
constipation
. . . of its particles. Boyle.
2.
A state of the bowels in which the evacuations are infrequent and difficult, or the intestines become filled with hardened fæces; costiveness.
Webster 1828 Edition
Constipation
CONSTIPATION
,Noun.
1.
The act of crowding any thing into a less compass; a pressing together; condensation; as a close constipation of particles.2.
More generally, a crowding or filling to hardness the intestinal canal, from defective excretion; costiveness; obstipation.