The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Caress \Ca*ress"\ (k[.a]*r[e^]s"), n. [F. caresse, It. carezza,
   LL. caritia dearness, fr. L. carus dear. See Charity.]
   An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an
   embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
   [1913 Webster]

         Wooed her with his soft caresses.        --Langfellow.
   [1913 Webster]

         He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses
         the hearts of all who were under his command.
                                                  --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Caress \Ca*ress"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caressed
   (k[.a]*r[e^]st"); p. pr. & vb. n. Caressing.] [F. caresser,
   fr. It. carezzare, fr. carezza caress. See Caress., n.]
   To treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness; to
   touch or speak to in a loving or endearing manner; to fondle.
   [1913 Webster]

         The lady caresses the rough bloodhound.  --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   Syn: To fondle; embrace; pet; coddle; court; flatter.

   Usage: Caress, Fondle. "We caress by words or actions; we
          fondle by actions only." --Crabb.
          [1913 Webster] caressing

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

caress
    n 1: a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling
         it); "he showered her with caresses"; "soft music was a
         fond caress"; "the caresses of the breeze played over his
         face"
    v 1: touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner;
         "He caressed her face"; "They fondled in the back seat of
         the taxi" [syn: caress, fondle]