The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Peristaltic \Per`i*stal"tic\, a. [Gr. ? clasping and
   compressing, fr. ? to surround, wrap up; ? round + ? to
   place, arrange: cf. F. p['e]ristaltique.] (Physiol.)
   Pertaining to a wormlike wave motion of the intestines, and
   by analogy, of other flexible tubular structures. In the body
   it is produced by a progressive contraction of the muscular
   fibers of their walls, forcing their contents onwards in the
   direction of the wave; as, peristaltic movement. --
   Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly, adv.
   [1913 Webster]