estaban acariciando
-they/you were petting
Imperfecto progresivo para el sujetoellos/ellas/ustedesdel verboacariciar.

acariciar

Por esos días los países industrializados y ricos estaban acariciando ya la misma idea, mediante el empleo de todo tipo de cereales y semillas oleaginosas, incluidas las de girasol y soya, fuentes de excelentes proteínas y aceites.
During those days, the industrialized and rich nations were already toying with the same idea of using all kinds of cereals and oil seeds, including sunflower and soy which are excellent sources of proteins and oils.
Palabra del día
la canela