gladiti

1. (with the hand) to stroke; to pet
   Devojčica je gladila mačku po leđima. — The girl was stroking the cat's back.
   Dok razmišlja, uvek gladi bradu. — He always strokes his beard while he thinks.
2. to smooth; to polish
   Nervozno je gladila suknju rukama. — She was nervously smoothing her skirt with her hands.
   Majstor gladi drvo brusnim papirom. — The craftsman is smoothing the wood with sandpaper.

The perfective "pogladiti" means to stroke briefly; "izgladiti" means to smooth out, also figuratively (izgladiti nesuglasice – to iron out differences).