What is "gavage"

Gavage \Ga`vage"\ (g[.a]`v[.a]zh"), n. [F., fr. gaver to gorge.] Forced feeding (as of poultry or infants) by means of a tube passed through the mouth down to the stomach.

1889, from French gavage, from gaver "to stuff" (17c.; see gavotte).

n. 1 A process of force-feeding a goose for foie gras 2 A process of force-feeding cattle for veal 3 (context medicine English) Feeding by means of a tube passed into the stomach vb. To stuff or glut with something

n. feeding that consists of the delivery of a nutrient solution (as through a nasal tube) to someone who cannot or will not eat [syn: forced feeding]