Synonyms:
caressing, cuddling, fondling, hugging, kissing, necking, petting, smooching, snuggling
Meaning: affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
Usage examples
"I mean, because he wants petting.
Tom, Edith's brother, was at school at Eton College, so Edith had a double share of petting, and led a very happy existence with plenty of work and plenty of play.
Pont soon had the 'coon out, and when I saw it was the 'coon that had escaped with our trap, I gave Pont praise for what he had done, petting him and telling him of his good deed, and he seemed to understand it all.