Require massage, reportedly (4)
I believe the answer is:
need
'require' is the definition.
('need' can be a synonym of 'require')
'massage reportedly' is the wordplay.
'massage' becomes 'knead' ('knead' can be a synonym of 'massage').
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'knead' is a homophone of 'NEED'.
(Other definitions for need that I've seen before include "state requiring relief" , "Necessity" , "Lack - demand" , "Call" , "privation" .)