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: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)