poking

v. pushing someone or something with your finger or a stick, often to get their attention.

v. prodding or thrusting a finger, elbow, or pointed object into something or someone.

“Stop poking your brother; he is trying to finish his homework.”

“The child kept poking the soft dough with her index finger to see if it would spring back after being kneaded.”

v. appearing or sticking out from behind or under something else.

v. protruding or appearing partially from a confined space or from behind an obstruction.

“I could see a few grey hairs poking through his dark beard.”

“Several sharp rocks were poking through the surface of the shallow water, making it dangerous for the small wooden boat to land.”

n. the physical act of pushing something with a finger or tool.

n. the instance or action of prodding or jabbing.

“A quick poking of the fire with a stick helped the flames grow larger.”

“After much poking and prodding by the mechanics, the old engine finally sputtered back to life.”