[mas.sage] n [F, fr. masser to massage, fr. Ar massa to stroke] (ca. 1860): manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for therapeutic purposes
[2]massage vt mas.saged ; mas.sag.ing (1887) 1: to subject to massage
2. a: to treat flatteringly: blandish b: manipulate 3, doctor 2b "researchers massaged the data to support their thesis" -- mas.sag.er n