paw
(Informal)
[verb]
Synonyms: manhandle, grab, handle roughly, maul, molest

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. paw¹ /pɔː $ pɒː/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: poue]

1. an animal’s foot that has nails or claws:
a lion’s paw

2. informal someone’s hand – used when you are annoyed or angry:
Keep your filthy paws off me!

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. paw² verb [intransitive and transitive]

1. if an animal paws a surface, it touches or rubs one place several times with its paw
paw at
The dog’s pawing at the door again – let him out.
His horse pawed the ground.

2. informal to feel or touch someone in a rough or sexual way that is offensive:
He’d had too much to drink and started pawing me.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲