摩挲 (mōsuō) is a reduplicative verb meaning to stroke or caress something gently and repeatedly with the hand, often conveying tenderness, affection, or quiet contemplation. The character 摩 means 'to rub' or 'to touch lightly', while 搽 is an archaic variant of 挲, which reinforces the sense of gentle, rhythmic touching — together they form an expressive compound emphasizing soft, soothing physical contact.

This word is commonly used when describing affectionate interactions with animals (e.g., petting a cat or dog), comforting a child, or handling delicate objects like old books or smooth stones. It carries a warm, intimate connotation and appears frequently in literary or descriptive writing rather than casual speech. While it can be used transitively (e.g., 摩挲着小猫), it often implies a slow, mindful action — not just touching, but lingering with care.