Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Palpation \Pal*pa"tion\, n. [L. palpatio, fr. palpare. See
   {Palpable}.]
   1. Act of touching or feeling.

   2. (Med.) Examination of a patient by touch. --Quain.

Source : WordNet®

palpation
     n : a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size
         or shape or firmness or location of something (of body
         parts when the examiner is a health professional) [syn: {tactual
         exploration}]