--- a/runtime/doc/map.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/map.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-*map.txt*       For Vim version 7.3.  Last change: 2011 Aug 19
+*map.txt*       For Vim version 7.3.  Last change: 2011 Oct 12
 
 
 		  VIM REFERENCE MANUAL    by Bram Moolenaar
@@ -237,11 +237,18 @@ For this reason the following is blocked
 - Editing another buffer.
 - The |:normal| command.
 - Moving the cursor is allowed, but it is restored afterwards.
-- You can use getchar(), but the existing typeahead isn't seen and new
-  typeahead is discarded.
 If you want the mapping to do any of these let the returned characters do
 that.
 
+You can use getchar(), it consumes typeahead if there is any. E.g., if you
+have these mappings: >
+  inoremap <expr> <C-L> nr2char(getchar())
+  inoremap <expr> <C-L>x "foo"
+If you now type CTRL-L nothing happens yet, Vim needs the next character to
+decide what mapping to use.  If you type 'x' the second mapping is used and
+"foo" is inserted.  If you type 'a' the first mapping is used, getchar() gets
+the 'a' and returns it.
+
 Here is an example that inserts a list number that increases: >
 	let counter = 0
 	inoremap <expr> <C-L> ListItem()