stroking

Noun, Verb (usu participle)

strok=ing

WORDNET DICTIONARY

is a kind of touch, touching

has particulars: caress

Derived form verb stroke₁

stroking, n.

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." [1913 Webster]
The act of laying small gathers in cloth in regular order. [1913 Webster]
See Stripping, 2. Smollett. [1913 Webster]