From Latin vellicatus, past participle of vellicare (“to twitch”). Cognate with Spanish pellizcar (“to pinch”)

vellicate (third-person singular simple present vellicates, present participle vellicating, simple past and past participle vellicated)

touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements