n. & v.
n. 1 the rubbing, kneading, etc., of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, to stimulate their action, cure strains, etc. 2 an instance of this.
v.tr. 1 apply massage to. 2 manipulate (statistics) to give an acceptable result. massage parlour 1 an establishment providing massage. 2 euphem. a brothel. massager n.
[ F f. masser treat with massage, perh. f. Port. amassar knead, f. massa dough: see MASS(1) ]