Good Night Seattle...

Well this is it, off to JHB in the AM...

masticate \MAS-tih-kayt\, transitive verb:

1. To grind or crush with or as if with the teeth in preparation for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, "to masticate food."
2. To crush or knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp.

intransitive verb:
1. To chew food.

Is this not what cows do? Perhaps Noel can tell us more?