Gentle touch scares eccentric (6)
I believe the answer is:
caress
'gentle touch' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'scares eccentric' is the wordplay.
'eccentric' is an anagram indicator.
'scares' with letters rearranged gives 'CARESS'.
(Other definitions for caress that I've seen before include "Stroke gently" , "Gentle loving touch" , "Pat" , "Stroke lightly in a loving manner" , "Embrace with affection" .)