搅拌 (jiǎo bàn) means 'to stir' or 'to mix' fluids or granular substances thoroughly, usually with a utensil, to achieve a uniform consistency. It is more specific and emphasizes thorough, circular stirring than the single-character 搅 (jiǎo), which can also mean 'to disturb'. Unlike 拌 (bàn), used for tossing dry ingredients like salads, 搅拌 is for liquids, pastes, or semi-solids.