n. 1. The act of rubbing gently with the hand, or of smoothing; a stroke. [ 1913 Webster ]
I doubt not with one gentle stroking to wipe away ten thousand tears. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Needlework) The act of laying small gathers in cloth in regular order. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. pl. See Stripping, 2. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]