Encouraging touch (3)
I believe the answer is:
pat
'encouraging touch' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for pat that I've seen before include "Gentle stroke of the hand with fluent repetition" , "Knob (of butter)" , "Slick; dab" , "Small butter piece" , "Light touch or stroke" .)