おだてる
odateru

Ichidan Verb

1. to flatter; to soft-soap; to sweet talk; to cajole; to instigate

Transitive
Usually Written in Kana
まず かれをおだてておいたほうがいいですよ。
mazu kareo odatete oita hōga iidesuyo.
You had better try buttering him up first.