Sentence:  One day , Ching had told him ( smiling , <WSD>patting</WSD> him on the back ) as they walked to the weekly conference of squad leaders , `` Keep it up , your squad is good , one of the best , keep it up , keep up the good work '' . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin