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