Stroke lightly is a term used to describe a gentle, soft touch. The crossword solutions for this term are CARESS (6 letters), DAB (3 letters), and PAT (3 letters). CARESS is a verb meaning to touch or stroke someone or something lovingly or tenderly. DAB is a verb meaning to press lightly or gently, often with a soft material such as a cloth. PAT is a verb meaning to touch or tap someone or something lightly and quickly with the flat of the hand.