v. & n.
v. 1 a tr. apply light touches or strokes to (a person or part of a person's body) so as to excite the nerves and usu. produce laughter and spasmodic movement. b intr. feel this sensation (my foot tickles). 2 tr. excite agreeably; amuse or divert (a person, a sense of humour, vanity, etc.) (was highly tickled at the idea; this will tickle your fancy). 3 tr. catch (a trout etc.) by rubbing it so that it moves backwards into the hand.
n. 1 an act of tickling. 2 a tickling sensation. tickled pink (or to death) colloq. extremely amused or pleased. tickler n. tickly adj.
[ ME, prob. frequent. of TICK(1) ]