v. Also 8 titulate, titilate. [f. L. titillāt-, ppl. stem of titillāre to tickle.]
1. trans. To excite or stimulate as by tickling; esp. to excite agreeably, gratify (the sense of taste, smell, or touch, the imagination); = TICKLE v. 3.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vi. 92. It … exciteth the appetite, by corrugating the mouth of the stomacke, and titillating the pallate.
1706. Mrs. Centlivre, Love at Venture, I. The elegance of my Fabric has titulated the imagination of many a fine Lady.
1799. Southey, Snuff, 2. A delicate pinch! oh how it tingles up The titillated nose.
1829. Macaulay, Misc. Writ. (1860), I. 291. Not to titillate his palate but to keep up his character for hospitality.
1882. J. Parker, Apost. Life, I. 74. Your fancy has been titillated.
2. To touch lightly; to irritate slightly; TICKLE v. 4. Also absol.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., x. The landlady … proceeded to vinegar the forehead, beat the hands, titillate the nose,… of the spinster aunt.
1872. Cohen, Dis. Throat, 7. If the epiglottis be titillated with the tip of the tongue-depressor.
1879. O. W. Holmes, Motley, xviii. The feathered end of his shaft titillates harmlessly enough.
