The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Knead \Knead\ (n[=e]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kneaded; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Kneading.] [OE. kneden, As. cnedan; akin to D.
   kneden, G. kneten, Sw. kn[*a]da, Icel. kno[eth]a; cf. OSlav.
   gnesti.]
   1. To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands;
      esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles,
      into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake,
      etc.; as, to knead dough.
      [1913 Webster]

            The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of
            the oven, and the baking.             --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat.
      [1913 Webster]

            I will knead him : I'll make him supple. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To press repeatedly with the hands or knuckles, sometimes
      with a twisting or squeezing motion; -- performed for
      example on the body of a person as a form of massage.
      [PJC]

   Kneading trough, a trough or tray in which dough is
      kneaded. --Ex. viii. 3.
      [1913 Webster]