Final answer:
The word 'ruminant' describes both the act of pondering or meditating on something and the process by which hoofed animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats, eat their own regurgitated food to aid digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that means both "to ponder or meditate on something" and "the act of a hoofed animal eating its own regurgitated food" is ruminant. This term originates from the Latin ruminare, which means "to chew over again". In a biological context, ruminants like cows, sheep, and goats are known for their unique digestive process where they regurgitate the food they have eaten, known as cud, and chew it again to aid in digestion. This is an efficient way to break down tough plant material and extract essential nutrients. The act of ruminating allows these animals to get the most out of their high-fiber diet. On the other hand, in a literary or figurative sense, to ruminate is to thoughtfully ponder or mull over a subject or idea, often for an extended period. This usage draws a metaphorical parallel to the thorough and repetitive process of digestion observed in hoofed mammals.