Has feelings - strongly at first - giving a gentle touch (6)
I believe the answer is:
caress
'gentle touch' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for caress that I've seen before include "Gentle stroke" , "Scares into handle lovingly" , "Stroke lightly in a loving manner" , "Gentle affectionate stroking" , "Stroke affectionately" .)