Etymology From French massage (noun), from masser (“to massage”) (borrowed around the end of the 18th century from Arabic مَسَّ (massa, “feel, touch”), or from Portuguese amassar) + -age. Cognate to German massieren.
1
The action of rubbing, kneading or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches.
Having a massage can have many beneficial effects.
During the long lapses in work common with on-location productions, Marilyn would silently meditate as Roberts provided a shoulder massage.2014, Gary Vitacco-Robles, Icon: The Life, Times and Films of Marilyn Monroe Volume 2 1956-1962 AND Beyond:
Etymology From French massage (noun), from masser (“to massage”) (borrowed around the end of the 18th century from Arabic مَسَّ (massa, “feel, touch”), or from Portuguese amassar) + -age. Cognate to German massieren.
1
To rub and knead (someone's body or body part), to perform a massage on (somebody).
My neck doesn't hurt as much as it did last night since my wife massaged me after I got back from the concert.
So after massaging a nude woman while being nude or nearly nude myself, sex is a natural way to end things.2010 January 11, Julian Kaye, Massage Therapy:
2
To rub or knead anything.
Massage the kale to soften it before making the salad.
3
To manipulate (data, a document etc.) to make it more presentable or more convenient to work with.
News relating to public disturbances was systematically massaged [...].2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 118:
The Conservatives have massaged expectations down by saying they would be delighted with a majority of 1,000 […]2008 May 22, Patrick Wintour, Steven Morris, The Guardian, page 3: