Gently stroked (8)
I believe the answer is:
caressed
'gently stroked' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for caressed that I've seen before include "Stroked gently and fondly" , "cuddled" , "Stroked with affection" , "Stroked lovingly, petted" , "sttroked lovingly" .)