Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Knead \Knead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kneaded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Kneading}.] [OE. kneden, As. cnedan; akin to D. kneden, G.
   kneten, Sw. kn?da, Icel. kno?a; cf. OSlav. gnesti.]
   1. To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands;
      esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles,
      into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake,
      etc.; as, to knead dough.

            The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of
            the oven, and the baking.             --Shak.

   2. Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat.

            I will knead him : I'll make him supple. --Shak.

   {Kneading trough}, a trough or tray in which dough is
      kneaded. --Ex. viii. 3.

Source : WordNet®

knead
     v 1: make uniform; "knead dough"; "work the clay until it is
          soft" [syn: {work}]
     2: manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal
        or relaxation purposes; "She rubbed down her child with a
        sponge" [syn: {massage}, {rub down}]