Another thought on the definition of dating:

"Date" according to Merriam-Webster: an appointment to meet at a specified time; especially : a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character b : a person with whom one has a usually romantic date.

Thus one could possibly organize a "date" just to hang out, and even if that particular date itself lacks romantic character, it might nonetheless serve to shape or further a possibly romantic agenda of one or both parties involved.