To keep stroke, to make strokes in unison.
The oars where silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke.
Shak.
Stroke (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strokeed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Strokeing.] [OE. stroken, straken, AS. strcian, fr. strcan to go over,
pass. See Strike, v. t., and cf. Straggle.] 1. To strike. [Obs.]
Ye mote with the plat sword again Stroken him in the wound, and it
will close.
Chaucer.
2. To rib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently
over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to caress; to soothe.
He dried the falling drops, and, yet more kind, He stroked her
cheeks.
Dryden.