What does "petting" mean?

The act of stroking or gently patting an animal.

Petting

Common synonyms include: caressing, affectionate contact, amorous dalliance, animal interaction session, billing and cooing, bundling.

/ˈpɛtɪŋ/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

1
The act of stroking or gently patting an animal. countable, uncountable
2
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs) wordnet
3
The act of kissing, stroking, etc., a person in a sexual manner. countable, uncountable
4
The act of indulging or treating as a favourite. countable, uncountable
"'Come, Jo, don't be thorny. After studying himself to a skeleton all the week, a fellow deserves petting, and ought to get it.'"

Verb

1
present participle and gerund of pet form-of, gerund, participle, present
"I am petting my rabbit."

"Do you have a petting zoo area?"