v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by into, or to + infin.) persuade (a person) gradually or by flattery. 2 (foll. by out of) obtain (a thing from a person) by coaxing. 3 manipulate (a thing) carefully or slowly. coaxer n. coaxingly adv.
[ 16th c.: f. 'make a cokes of' f. obs. cokes simpleton, of unkn. orig. ]