I. mə-ˈsäzh, -ˈsäj noun
Etymology: French, from masser to massage, from Arabic massa to stroke
Date: circa 1860
: manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for therapeutic purposes
II. transitive verb
( mas·saged ; mas·sag·ing )
Date: 1887
1. : to subject to massage
2.
a. : to treat flatteringly : blandish
b. : manipulate , doctor
massaged the data to help his cause
• mas·sag·er noun