— massager, massagist , n.
/meuh sahzh", -sahj"/ or, esp. Brit., /mas"ahzh/ , n. , v. , massaged, massaging .
n.
1. the act or art of treating the body by rubbing, kneading, patting, or the like, to stimulate circulation, increase suppleness, relieve tension, etc.
2. Slang. attentive or indulgent treatment; pampering: ego massage.
v.t.
3. to treat by massage.
4. Slang. to treat with special care and attention; coddle or pamper: The store massages its regular customers with gifts and private sales.
5. Informal.
a. to manipulate, maneuver, or handle skillfully: to massage a bill through the Senate.
b. to manipulate, organize, or rearrange (data, figures, or the like) to produce a specific result, esp. a favorable one: The auditors discovered that the company had massaged the books.
[ 1875-80; mass ( er ) to massage ( massa to handle) + -age -AGE ]