massage

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
massage /ˈmasɑːʒ, məˈsɑːʒ, -dʒ/

▶noun the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension or pain. ▶verb

• 1 give a massage to.

  ■ (massage something in/into) rub a substance into (the skin or hair).

• 2 manipulate (figures) to give a more acceptable result.

– phrases
massage someone's ego gently flatter someone.

– derivatives
massager noun.

– origin C19: from Fr., from masser ‘knead, treat with massage’, prob. from Port. amassar ‘knead’, from massa ‘dough’.