taking food; feeding
• (n.) The process or operation of feeding the contents of the crucible with fresh material. • (n.) The act of taking food.
Ci·ba'tion noun [ Latin cibatio , from cibare to feed.] 1. The act of taking food. 2. (Alchemy) The process or operation of feeding the contents of the crucible with fresh material. B. Jonson. 
cibation The act of taking food.