"collection of writing," late 14c., from Latin digesta, from neuter plural of digestus, literally "digested thing," noun use of past participle of digerere "to separate, divide, arrange," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + gerere "to carry" (see gest).

"assimilate food in bowels," late 14c., from Latin digestus (see digest, n.). Related: Digested; digesting.