Further to these "slightly technical replies", inside the pump there are "seals" which are called wear-rings, that effectively seal between the inlet (suction) and outlet (discharge).
These wear-rings are fixed into the pump casing, and the impeller (the pumping mechanism), rotates inside them. There is a very small clearance between the impeller and the wear-ring and this acts like a labyrinth seal.
As long as the discharge is open, there will be very little recirculation within the pump.
If you start to close the discharge, then more and more pumped product will circulate inside the casing. You will also notice that, as there is reduced "flow" through the pump, it will heat up. You will also notice that the motor amps are greatly reduced in this condition as the pump is not doing much work. This is why it is common practise to start a pump with a shut, or almost shut discharge valve.