1. Of an animal, to lightly hit or scrape someone or something repeatedly with its paws. The dog keeps pawing at the same spot on the carpet. Something must be underneath it. Your cat's been pawing at me for the last twenty minutes. I wish it would leave me alone!

2. To touch or grab at someone or something with one's hands in a rude, clumsy, or overly familiar manner. As soon as he started pawing at me during the movie, I knew the date was over. Stop pawing at the remote control—you can have it as soon as my show is finished!