Touch or hit lightly (3)
I believe the answer is:
pat
I believe this is a double definition.
'touch' is the first definition.
(to pat is to touch or tap)
'hit lightly' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for pat that I've seen before include "Glib; touch affectionately" , "Hit lightly" , "Girl" , "Portion of butter" , "Some butter, maybe" .)