stroking

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

stroking
    n 1: a light touch with the hands [syn: {stroke}, {stroking}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Stroking \Strok"ing\, n.
   1. The act of rubbing gently with the hand, or of smoothing;
      a stroke.
      [1913 Webster]

            I doubt not with one gentle stroking to wipe away
            ten thousand tears.                   --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Needlework) The act of laying small gathers in cloth in
      regular order.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. pl. See {Stripping}, 2. --Smollett.
      [1913 Webster]