petting n 1: affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs) [syn: {caressing}, {cuddling}, {fondling}, {hugging}, {kissing}, {necking}, {petting}, {smooching}, {snuggling}]
petting \petting\ n. Sexually titillating foreplay without contact with the genital organs. Syn: caressing, cuddling, fondling, hugging, kissing, necking, smooching, snuggling. [WordNet 1.5]
Pet \Pet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Petted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Petting}.] To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled. [1913 Webster]
28 Moby Thesaurus words for "petting": amorous dalliance, billing and cooing, bundling, caressing, cuddling, dalliance, feeling, fingering, fondling, friction, frottage, handling, hugging, kissing, lollygagging, lovemaking, manipulation, necking, nestling, nuzzling, palpation, pressure, rubbing, sexual intercourse, snuggling, spooning, stroking, touching