Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US campus) to have a very passionate petting session.

1875		in Harper’s Mag. Sept. 618: She’s de on’y girl a feller wants to maul, and she’s de on’y one a feller can’t .
1930		J.P. McEvoy Hollywood Girl 37: I am [...] what is technically known as a virgin although I have been most thoroughly and thrillingly mauled on many occasions.
1938		X. Herbert Capricornia (1939) 313: Mauling the girl. You oughter have more sense — and her too.
1945		J.B. Priestly Three Men in New Suits 103: I’ve had enough mauling about and I’m off it. So don’t say I didn’t warn you.
1989		P. Munro Sl. U.

2. to treat something in a sensuous manner.

1961

J.A. Williams Night Song (1962) 40: That sweet-blowing Johnny Hodges who mauled an alto.