diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractDerivedByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractDerivedByteBuf.java
index 4f27528fee..e385fa2c31 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractDerivedByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractDerivedByteBuf.java
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractDerivedByteBuf extends AbstractByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public final ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        unwrap().touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public final boolean release() {
         return unwrap().release();
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf.java
index 30103821f9..06df36de74 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf.java
@@ -95,7 +95,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf extends AbstractByteBuf {
     }
 
     @Override
-    public final ByteBuf touch() {
+    public ByteBuf touch() {
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
         return this;
     }
 
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf.java
index 837f50e619..1b136e88e4 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf.java
@@ -706,6 +706,12 @@ final class AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf extends WrappedByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        leak.record(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         boolean deallocated =  super.release();
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBuf.java
index a1a5e3bce8..4d399c683e 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBuf.java
@@ -1880,4 +1880,7 @@ public abstract class ByteBuf implements ReferenceCounted, Comparable<ByteBuf> {
 
     @Override
     public abstract ByteBuf touch();
+
+    @Override
+    public abstract ByteBuf touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBufHolder.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBufHolder.java
index 9cc2000dac..c78cb6a459 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBufHolder.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/ByteBufHolder.java
@@ -45,4 +45,7 @@ public interface ByteBufHolder extends ReferenceCounted {
 
     @Override
     ByteBufHolder touch();
+
+    @Override
+    ByteBufHolder touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/CompositeByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/CompositeByteBuf.java
index a67cb3914f..a378a00024 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/CompositeByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/CompositeByteBuf.java
@@ -1570,6 +1570,16 @@ public class CompositeByteBuf extends AbstractReferenceCountedByteBuf {
         return (CompositeByteBuf) super.retain();
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public CompositeByteBuf touch() {
+        return (CompositeByteBuf) super.touch();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public CompositeByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        return (CompositeByteBuf) super.touch(hint);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public ByteBuffer[] nioBuffers() {
         return nioBuffers(readerIndex(), readableBytes());
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/DefaultByteBufHolder.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/DefaultByteBufHolder.java
index 58676b8072..c029accedf 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/DefaultByteBufHolder.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/DefaultByteBufHolder.java
@@ -74,6 +74,12 @@ public class DefaultByteBufHolder implements ByteBufHolder {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBufHolder touch(Object hint) {
+        data.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return data.release();
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/EmptyByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/EmptyByteBuf.java
index e84f28cc41..9f8db89741 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/EmptyByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/EmptyByteBuf.java
@@ -836,6 +836,11 @@ public final class EmptyByteBuf extends ByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return false;
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SimpleLeakAwareByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SimpleLeakAwareByteBuf.java
index eea68e7151..0a9fe3f20b 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SimpleLeakAwareByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SimpleLeakAwareByteBuf.java
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@ final class SimpleLeakAwareByteBuf extends WrappedByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         boolean deallocated =  super.release();
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SwappedByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SwappedByteBuf.java
index fcfbbda999..a11538117e 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SwappedByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/SwappedByteBuf.java
@@ -820,6 +820,12 @@ public final class SwappedByteBuf extends ByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        buf.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return buf.release();
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/UnreleasableByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/UnreleasableByteBuf.java
index 402c0d863d..2b26f29137 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/UnreleasableByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/UnreleasableByteBuf.java
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ final class UnreleasableByteBuf extends WrappedByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return false;
diff --git a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/WrappedByteBuf.java b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/WrappedByteBuf.java
index dad117bd82..a528ee8305 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/WrappedByteBuf.java
+++ b/buffer/src/main/java/io/netty/buffer/WrappedByteBuf.java
@@ -805,6 +805,12 @@ class WrappedByteBuf extends ByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        buf.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean isReadable(int size) {
         return buf.isReadable(size);
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/ComposedLastHttpContent.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/ComposedLastHttpContent.java
index 9db7eaa48c..f38687efd5 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/ComposedLastHttpContent.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/ComposedLastHttpContent.java
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ final class ComposedLastHttpContent implements LastHttpContent {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public LastHttpContent touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public LastHttpContent duplicate() {
         return copy();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpRequest.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpRequest.java
index 925e59781a..d414368a0a 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpRequest.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpRequest.java
@@ -78,6 +78,12 @@ public class DefaultFullHttpRequest extends DefaultHttpRequest implements FullHt
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public FullHttpRequest touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpResponse.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpResponse.java
index 88f8803320..5a148a1cb2 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpResponse.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultFullHttpResponse.java
@@ -80,6 +80,12 @@ public class DefaultFullHttpResponse extends DefaultHttpResponse implements Full
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public FullHttpResponse touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultHttpContent.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultHttpContent.java
index 38fe913917..b366cb43a8 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultHttpContent.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultHttpContent.java
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ public class DefaultHttpContent extends DefaultHttpObject implements HttpContent
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public HttpContent touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultLastHttpContent.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultLastHttpContent.java
index 2e2da7e756..bb0ad08ef8 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultLastHttpContent.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/DefaultLastHttpContent.java
@@ -75,6 +75,12 @@ public class DefaultLastHttpContent extends DefaultHttpContent implements LastHt
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public LastHttpContent touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public HttpHeaders trailingHeaders() {
         return trailingHeaders;
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpMessage.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpMessage.java
index 1c2b4e53c4..c9a59032d8 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpMessage.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpMessage.java
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ public interface FullHttpMessage extends HttpMessage, LastHttpContent {
     @Override
     FullHttpMessage touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullHttpMessage touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullHttpMessage duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpRequest.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpRequest.java
index 708eb11bdb..1de15faaee 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpRequest.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpRequest.java
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ public interface FullHttpRequest extends HttpRequest, FullHttpMessage {
     @Override
     FullHttpRequest touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullHttpRequest touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullHttpRequest duplicate();
 
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpResponse.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpResponse.java
index 42d7d8e6e7..f3b7496f73 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpResponse.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/FullHttpResponse.java
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ public interface FullHttpResponse extends HttpResponse, FullHttpMessage {
     @Override
     FullHttpResponse touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullHttpResponse touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullHttpResponse duplicate();
 
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/HttpContent.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/HttpContent.java
index 3448101d4d..de702742a7 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/HttpContent.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/HttpContent.java
@@ -41,4 +41,7 @@ public interface HttpContent extends HttpObject, ByteBufHolder {
 
     @Override
     HttpContent touch();
+
+    @Override
+    HttpContent touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/LastHttpContent.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/LastHttpContent.java
index aea6539244..2f68e10c16 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/LastHttpContent.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/LastHttpContent.java
@@ -79,6 +79,11 @@ public interface LastHttpContent extends HttpContent {
             return this;
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public LastHttpContent touch(Object hint) {
+            return this;
+        }
+
         @Override
         public boolean release() {
             return false;
@@ -109,6 +114,9 @@ public interface LastHttpContent extends HttpContent {
     @Override
     LastHttpContent touch();
 
+    @Override
+    LastHttpContent touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     LastHttpContent duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractDiskHttpData.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractDiskHttpData.java
index cc4578b4ee..9130d33f4d 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractDiskHttpData.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractDiskHttpData.java
@@ -401,4 +401,9 @@ public abstract class AbstractDiskHttpData extends AbstractHttpData {
     public HttpData touch() {
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public HttpData touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractHttpData.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractHttpData.java
index 5d0dc082cc..ae16b2a627 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractHttpData.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractHttpData.java
@@ -133,4 +133,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHttpData extends AbstractReferenceCounted implemen
 
     @Override
     public abstract HttpData touch();
+
+    @Override
+    public abstract HttpData touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractMemoryHttpData.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractMemoryHttpData.java
index a28fa35a52..e0870e11f6 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractMemoryHttpData.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/AbstractMemoryHttpData.java
@@ -260,8 +260,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractMemoryHttpData extends AbstractHttpData {
 
     @Override
     public HttpData touch() {
+        return touch(null);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public HttpData touch(Object hint) {
         if (byteBuf != null) {
-            byteBuf.touch();
+            byteBuf.touch(hint);
         }
         return this;
     }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/Attribute.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/Attribute.java
index 253f4d9de5..a2060e7327 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/Attribute.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/Attribute.java
@@ -45,4 +45,7 @@ public interface Attribute extends HttpData {
 
     @Override
     Attribute touch();
+
+    @Override
+    Attribute touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskAttribute.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskAttribute.java
index 7740338472..5c800bdd46 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskAttribute.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskAttribute.java
@@ -198,4 +198,10 @@ public class DiskAttribute extends AbstractDiskHttpData implements Attribute {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public Attribute touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskFileUpload.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskFileUpload.java
index 31fb31f095..41afd2ca9d 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskFileUpload.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/DiskFileUpload.java
@@ -217,4 +217,10 @@ public class DiskFileUpload extends AbstractDiskHttpData implements FileUpload {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public FileUpload touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/FileUpload.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/FileUpload.java
index 3688f01f00..f519cf5c90 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/FileUpload.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/FileUpload.java
@@ -70,4 +70,7 @@ public interface FileUpload extends HttpData {
 
     @Override
     FileUpload touch();
+
+    @Override
+    FileUpload touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpData.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpData.java
index de59bffb22..85ad3e6712 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpData.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpData.java
@@ -211,4 +211,7 @@ public interface HttpData extends InterfaceHttpData, ByteBufHolder {
 
     @Override
     HttpData touch();
+
+    @Override
+    HttpData touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpPostRequestEncoder.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpPostRequestEncoder.java
index 9473ed2d21..796619bd41 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpPostRequestEncoder.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/HttpPostRequestEncoder.java
@@ -1221,6 +1221,12 @@ public class HttpPostRequestEncoder implements ChunkedInput<HttpContent> {
             return this;
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public FullHttpRequest touch(Object hint) {
+            content.touch(hint);
+            return this;
+        }
+
         @Override
         public ByteBuf content() {
             return content.content();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InterfaceHttpData.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InterfaceHttpData.java
index c4d98cff4d..2b9cb61e96 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InterfaceHttpData.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InterfaceHttpData.java
@@ -44,4 +44,7 @@ public interface InterfaceHttpData extends Comparable<InterfaceHttpData>, Refere
 
     @Override
     InterfaceHttpData touch();
+
+    @Override
+    InterfaceHttpData touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InternalAttribute.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InternalAttribute.java
index 3429191369..b0b034f779 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InternalAttribute.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/InternalAttribute.java
@@ -149,4 +149,12 @@ final class InternalAttribute extends AbstractReferenceCounted implements Interf
         }
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public InterfaceHttpData touch(Object hint) {
+        for (ByteBuf buf: value) {
+            buf.touch(hint);
+        }
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryAttribute.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryAttribute.java
index 001306203c..23d5730d16 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryAttribute.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryAttribute.java
@@ -159,4 +159,10 @@ public class MemoryAttribute extends AbstractMemoryHttpData implements Attribute
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public Attribute touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryFileUpload.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryFileUpload.java
index 51bde2bd13..6100629b3b 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryFileUpload.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MemoryFileUpload.java
@@ -177,4 +177,10 @@ public class MemoryFileUpload extends AbstractMemoryHttpData implements FileUplo
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public FileUpload touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedAttribute.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedAttribute.java
index fc3d5247aa..63299018ac 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedAttribute.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedAttribute.java
@@ -285,6 +285,12 @@ public class MixedAttribute implements Attribute {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public Attribute touch(Object hint) {
+        attribute.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return attribute.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedFileUpload.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedFileUpload.java
index 1de4b6dcf0..1d462ce96f 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedFileUpload.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/multipart/MixedFileUpload.java
@@ -316,6 +316,12 @@ public class MixedFileUpload implements FileUpload {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public FileUpload touch(Object hint) {
+        fileUpload.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return fileUpload.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/BinaryWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/BinaryWebSocketFrame.java
index 1174075ee9..f3ce587d6b 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/BinaryWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/BinaryWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -81,4 +81,10 @@ public class BinaryWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public BinaryWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/CloseWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/CloseWebSocketFrame.java
index d9ed199403..8b060f6681 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/CloseWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/CloseWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -165,4 +165,10 @@ public class CloseWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public CloseWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/ContinuationWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/ContinuationWebSocketFrame.java
index 59745df9f5..90b3041199 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/ContinuationWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/ContinuationWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -146,4 +146,10 @@ public class ContinuationWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public ContinuationWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PingWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PingWebSocketFrame.java
index 7576d11eb2..49a10ac644 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PingWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PingWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -81,4 +81,10 @@ public class PingWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public PingWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PongWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PongWebSocketFrame.java
index 13ddc77eee..b96c815d98 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PongWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/PongWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -81,4 +81,10 @@ public class PongWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public PongWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/TextWebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/TextWebSocketFrame.java
index 97c2bfb0a0..7dca7ba87f 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/TextWebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/TextWebSocketFrame.java
@@ -121,4 +121,10 @@ public class TextWebSocketFrame extends WebSocketFrame {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public TextWebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/WebSocketFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/WebSocketFrame.java
index 70dd7e1ed4..c46eec82bd 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/WebSocketFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/http/websocketx/WebSocketFrame.java
@@ -88,4 +88,10 @@ public abstract class WebSocketFrame extends DefaultByteBufHolder {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public WebSocketFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/DefaultSpdyDataFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/DefaultSpdyDataFrame.java
index 9f2aba9fda..10ef5612fa 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/DefaultSpdyDataFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/DefaultSpdyDataFrame.java
@@ -115,6 +115,12 @@ public class DefaultSpdyDataFrame extends DefaultSpdyStreamFrame implements Spdy
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public SpdyDataFrame touch(Object hint) {
+        data.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return data.release();
diff --git a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/SpdyDataFrame.java b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/SpdyDataFrame.java
index 503956f5dd..e37d655a0d 100644
--- a/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/SpdyDataFrame.java
+++ b/codec-http/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/spdy/SpdyDataFrame.java
@@ -53,4 +53,7 @@ public interface SpdyDataFrame extends ByteBufHolder, SpdyStreamFrame {
 
     @Override
     SpdyDataFrame touch();
+
+    @Override
+    SpdyDataFrame touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultLastMemcacheContent.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultLastMemcacheContent.java
index ee570cb740..6785427878 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultLastMemcacheContent.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultLastMemcacheContent.java
@@ -50,6 +50,12 @@ public class DefaultLastMemcacheContent extends DefaultMemcacheContent implement
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public LastMemcacheContent touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public LastMemcacheContent copy() {
         return new DefaultLastMemcacheContent(content().copy());
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultMemcacheContent.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultMemcacheContent.java
index e576269a8a..2923c02d7c 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultMemcacheContent.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/DefaultMemcacheContent.java
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ public class DefaultMemcacheContent extends AbstractMemcacheObject implements Me
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public MemcacheContent touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/FullMemcacheMessage.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/FullMemcacheMessage.java
index 5293b43322..3ae0616b9d 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/FullMemcacheMessage.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/FullMemcacheMessage.java
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ public interface FullMemcacheMessage extends MemcacheMessage, LastMemcacheConten
     @Override
     FullMemcacheMessage touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullMemcacheMessage touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullMemcacheMessage duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/LastMemcacheContent.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/LastMemcacheContent.java
index 3f9196c66e..0369a3c768 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/LastMemcacheContent.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/LastMemcacheContent.java
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@ public interface LastMemcacheContent extends MemcacheContent {
             return this;
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public LastMemcacheContent touch(Object hint) {
+            return this;
+        }
+
         @Override
         public LastMemcacheContent duplicate() {
             return this;
@@ -98,6 +103,9 @@ public interface LastMemcacheContent extends MemcacheContent {
     @Override
     LastMemcacheContent touch();
 
+    @Override
+    LastMemcacheContent touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     LastMemcacheContent duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheContent.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheContent.java
index 3f51ff37d7..86466e8389 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheContent.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheContent.java
@@ -42,4 +42,7 @@ public interface MemcacheContent extends MemcacheObject, ByteBufHolder {
 
     @Override
     MemcacheContent touch();
+
+    @Override
+    MemcacheContent touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheMessage.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheMessage.java
index fa5c464928..fdc096a301 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheMessage.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/MemcacheMessage.java
@@ -36,4 +36,7 @@ public interface MemcacheMessage extends MemcacheObject, ReferenceCounted {
 
     @Override
     MemcacheMessage touch();
+
+    @Override
+    MemcacheMessage touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage.java
index f748f1cb69..0a80a3401e 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage.java
@@ -110,8 +110,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage<H extends BinaryMemcacheMess
 
     @Override
     public BinaryMemcacheMessage<H> touch() {
+        return touch(null);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public BinaryMemcacheMessage<H> touch(Object hint) {
         if (extras != null) {
-            extras.touch();
+            extras.touch(hint);
         }
         return this;
     }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheMessage.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheMessage.java
index e6492c7711..799750da79 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheMessage.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheMessage.java
@@ -66,4 +66,7 @@ public interface BinaryMemcacheMessage<H extends BinaryMemcacheMessageHeader> ex
 
     @Override
     BinaryMemcacheMessage<H> touch();
+
+    @Override
+    BinaryMemcacheMessage<H> touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheRequest.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheRequest.java
index 41947c607f..d85da21132 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheRequest.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheRequest.java
@@ -36,4 +36,7 @@ public interface BinaryMemcacheRequest extends BinaryMemcacheMessage<BinaryMemca
 
     @Override
     BinaryMemcacheRequest touch();
+
+    @Override
+    BinaryMemcacheRequest touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheResponse.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheResponse.java
index 851f3d7d53..768caa6262 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheResponse.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/BinaryMemcacheResponse.java
@@ -36,4 +36,7 @@ public interface BinaryMemcacheResponse extends BinaryMemcacheMessage<BinaryMemc
 
     @Override
     BinaryMemcacheResponse touch();
+
+    @Override
+    BinaryMemcacheResponse touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheRequest.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
index ddd01d1832..356861beef 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
@@ -80,4 +80,10 @@ public class DefaultBinaryMemcacheRequest extends AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage<
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public BinaryMemcacheRequest touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheResponse.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
index 80fc50d1be..92a95e520b 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
@@ -80,4 +80,10 @@ public class DefaultBinaryMemcacheResponse extends AbstractBinaryMemcacheMessage
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public BinaryMemcacheResponse touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
index 99545ed1cf..98a4a7f96f 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
@@ -83,6 +83,12 @@ public class DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheRequest extends DefaultBinaryMemcacheReque
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public FullBinaryMemcacheRequest touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
index d2de688839..f93e2a65ef 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
@@ -83,6 +83,12 @@ public class DefaultFullBinaryMemcacheResponse extends DefaultBinaryMemcacheResp
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public FullBinaryMemcacheResponse touch(Object hint) {
+        content.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         return content.release();
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
index 9d78eae705..3fb2668911 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheRequest.java
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ public interface FullBinaryMemcacheRequest extends BinaryMemcacheRequest, FullMe
     @Override
     FullBinaryMemcacheRequest touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullBinaryMemcacheRequest touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullBinaryMemcacheRequest duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
index c14d951367..a4ff2376d6 100644
--- a/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
+++ b/codec-memcache/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/memcache/binary/FullBinaryMemcacheResponse.java
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ public interface FullBinaryMemcacheResponse extends BinaryMemcacheResponse, Full
     @Override
     FullBinaryMemcacheResponse touch();
 
+    @Override
+    FullBinaryMemcacheResponse touch(Object hint);
+
     @Override
     FullBinaryMemcacheResponse duplicate();
 }
diff --git a/codec/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/ReplayingDecoderBuffer.java b/codec/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/ReplayingDecoderBuffer.java
index 9165d8e2b0..0531ef897a 100644
--- a/codec/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/ReplayingDecoderBuffer.java
+++ b/codec/src/main/java/io/netty/handler/codec/ReplayingDecoderBuffer.java
@@ -978,6 +978,12 @@ final class ReplayingDecoderBuffer extends ByteBuf {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ByteBuf touch(Object hint) {
+        buffer.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public boolean release() {
         reject();
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/AbstractReferenceCounted.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/AbstractReferenceCounted.java
index 80f21d19c7..da152f19d0 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/AbstractReferenceCounted.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/AbstractReferenceCounted.java
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractReferenceCounted implements ReferenceCounted {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public ReferenceCounted touch() {
+        return touch(null);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public final boolean release() {
         for (;;) {
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCountUtil.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCountUtil.java
index 8955202637..fc95c1b2e8 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCountUtil.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCountUtil.java
@@ -71,6 +71,19 @@ public final class ReferenceCountUtil {
         return msg;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Tries to call {@link ReferenceCounted#touch(Object)} if the specified message implements
+     * {@link ReferenceCounted}.  If the specified message doesn't implement {@link ReferenceCounted},
+     * this method does nothing.
+     */
+    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+    public static <T> T touch(T msg, Object hint) {
+        if (msg instanceof ReferenceCounted) {
+            return (T) ((ReferenceCounted) msg).touch(hint);
+        }
+        return msg;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Try to call {@link ReferenceCounted#release()} if the specified message implements {@link ReferenceCounted}.
      * If the specified message doesn't implement {@link ReferenceCounted}, this method does nothing.
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCounted.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCounted.java
index bb1850a8c6..7de7b5bef6 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCounted.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ReferenceCounted.java
@@ -48,10 +48,17 @@ public interface ReferenceCounted {
     /**
      * Records the current access location of this object for debugging purposes.
      * If this object is determined to be leaked, the information recorded by this operation will be provided to you
-     * via {@link ResourceLeakDetector}.
+     * via {@link ResourceLeakDetector}.  This method is a shortcut to {@link #touch(Object) touch(null)}.
      */
     ReferenceCounted touch();
 
+    /**
+     * Records the current access location of this object with an additonal arbitrary information for debugging
+     * purposes.  If this object is determined to be leaked, the information recorded by this operation will be
+     * provided to you via {@link ResourceLeakDetector}.
+     */
+    ReferenceCounted touch(Object hint);
+
     /**
      * Decreases the reference count by {@code 1} and deallocates this object if the reference count reaches at
      * {@code 0}.
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeak.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeak.java
index d45fc71f28..e3b10bd128 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeak.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeak.java
@@ -19,10 +19,16 @@ package io.netty.util;
 public interface ResourceLeak {
     /**
      * Records the caller's current stack trace so that the {@link ResourceLeakDetector} can tell where the leaked
-     * resource was accessed lastly.
+     * resource was accessed lastly. This method is a shortcut to {@link #record(Object) record(null)}.
      */
     void record();
 
+    /**
+     * Records the caller's current stack trace and the specified additional arbitrary information
+     * so that the {@link ResourceLeakDetector} can tell where the leaked resource was accessed lastly.
+     */
+    void record(Object hint);
+
     /**
      * Close the leak so that {@link ResourceLeakDetector} does not warn about leaked resources.
      *
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakDetector.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakDetector.java
index 51a199b383..e1d771b1e3 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakDetector.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakDetector.java
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ public final class ResourceLeakDetector<T> {
             if (referent != null) {
                 Level level = getLevel();
                 if (level.ordinal() >= Level.ADVANCED.ordinal()) {
-                    creationRecord = newRecord(3);
+                    creationRecord = newRecord(null, 3);
                 } else {
                     creationRecord = null;
                 }
@@ -287,8 +287,17 @@ public final class ResourceLeakDetector<T> {
 
         @Override
         public void record() {
+            record0(null, 3);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void record(Object hint) {
+            record0(hint, 3);
+        }
+
+        private void record0(Object hint, int recordsToSkip) {
             if (creationRecord != null) {
-                String value = newRecord(2);
+                String value = newRecord(hint, recordsToSkip);
 
                 synchronized (lastRecords) {
                     int size = lastRecords.size();
@@ -353,11 +362,27 @@ public final class ResourceLeakDetector<T> {
     }
 
     private static final String[] STACK_TRACE_ELEMENT_EXCLUSIONS = {
+            "io.netty.util.ReferenceCountUtil.touch(",
+            "io.netty.buffer.AdvancedLeakAwareByteBuf.touch(",
             "io.netty.buffer.AbstractByteBufAllocator.toLeakAwareBuffer(",
     };
 
-    static String newRecord(int recordsToSkip) {
+    static String newRecord(Object hint, int recordsToSkip) {
         StringBuilder buf = new StringBuilder(4096);
+
+        // Append the hint first if available.
+        if (hint != null) {
+            buf.append("\tHint: ");
+            // Prefer a hint string to a simple string form.
+            if (hint instanceof ResourceLeakHint) {
+                buf.append(((ResourceLeakHint) hint).toHintString());
+            } else {
+                buf.append(hint);
+            }
+            buf.append(NEWLINE);
+        }
+
+        // Append the stack trace.
         StackTraceElement[] array = new Throwable().getStackTrace();
         for (StackTraceElement e: array) {
             if (recordsToSkip > 0) {
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakHint.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakHint.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f25d1296f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/ResourceLeakHint.java
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2014 The Netty Project
+ *
+ * The Netty Project licenses this file to you under the Apache License,
+ * version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at:
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+ * License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+package io.netty.util;
+
+/**
+ * A hint object that provides human-readable message for easier resource leak tracking.
+ */
+public interface ResourceLeakHint {
+    /**
+     * Returns a human-readable message that potentially enables easier resource leak tracking.
+     */
+    String toHintString();
+}
diff --git a/transport-sctp/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/sctp/SctpMessage.java b/transport-sctp/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/sctp/SctpMessage.java
index 6a6e2f837c..221a159e38 100644
--- a/transport-sctp/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/sctp/SctpMessage.java
+++ b/transport-sctp/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/sctp/SctpMessage.java
@@ -158,6 +158,12 @@ public final class SctpMessage extends DefaultByteBufHolder {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public SctpMessage touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public String toString() {
         if (refCnt() == 0) {
diff --git a/transport-udt/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/udt/UdtMessage.java b/transport-udt/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/udt/UdtMessage.java
index 7f061b19e7..d8662444be 100644
--- a/transport-udt/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/udt/UdtMessage.java
+++ b/transport-udt/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/udt/UdtMessage.java
@@ -58,4 +58,10 @@ public final class UdtMessage extends DefaultByteBufHolder {
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public UdtMessage touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/AddressedEnvelope.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/AddressedEnvelope.java
index ba159f9d1e..b5ce89f549 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/AddressedEnvelope.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/AddressedEnvelope.java
@@ -41,4 +41,16 @@ public interface AddressedEnvelope<M, A extends SocketAddress> extends Reference
      * Returns the address of the recipient of this message.
      */
     A recipient();
+
+    @Override
+    AddressedEnvelope<M, A> retain();
+
+    @Override
+    AddressedEnvelope<M, A> retain(int increment);
+
+    @Override
+    AddressedEnvelope<M, A> touch();
+
+    @Override
+    AddressedEnvelope<M, A> touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultAddressedEnvelope.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultAddressedEnvelope.java
index a54d866a45..bc561399f4 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultAddressedEnvelope.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultAddressedEnvelope.java
@@ -108,6 +108,12 @@ public class DefaultAddressedEnvelope<M, A extends SocketAddress> implements Add
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public AddressedEnvelope<M, A> touch(Object hint) {
+        ReferenceCountUtil.touch(message, hint);
+        return this;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public String toString() {
         if (sender != null) {
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelHandlerContext.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelHandlerContext.java
index f2e5e5c564..1aa469b269 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelHandlerContext.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelHandlerContext.java
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import io.netty.util.Attribute;
 import io.netty.util.AttributeKey;
 import io.netty.util.Recycler;
 import io.netty.util.ReferenceCountUtil;
+import io.netty.util.ResourceLeakHint;
 import io.netty.util.concurrent.EventExecutor;
 import io.netty.util.concurrent.EventExecutorGroup;
 import io.netty.util.internal.StringUtil;
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ import java.net.SocketAddress;
 
 import static io.netty.channel.DefaultChannelPipeline.*;
 
-final class DefaultChannelHandlerContext implements ChannelHandlerContext {
+final class DefaultChannelHandlerContext implements ChannelHandlerContext, ResourceLeakHint {
 
     volatile DefaultChannelHandlerContext next;
     volatile DefaultChannelHandlerContext prev;
@@ -329,8 +330,8 @@ final class DefaultChannelHandlerContext implements ChannelHandlerContext {
             throw new NullPointerException("msg");
         }
 
-        ReferenceCountUtil.touch(msg);
         final DefaultChannelHandlerContext next = findContextInbound();
+        ReferenceCountUtil.touch(msg, next);
         EventExecutor executor = next.executor();
         if (executor.inEventLoop()) {
             next.invokeChannelRead(msg);
@@ -706,8 +707,8 @@ final class DefaultChannelHandlerContext implements ChannelHandlerContext {
 
     private void write(Object msg, boolean flush, ChannelPromise promise) {
 
-        ReferenceCountUtil.touch(msg);
         DefaultChannelHandlerContext next = findContextOutbound();
+        ReferenceCountUtil.touch(msg, next);
         EventExecutor executor = next.executor();
         if (executor.inEventLoop()) {
             next.invokeWrite(msg, promise);
@@ -987,4 +988,14 @@ final class DefaultChannelHandlerContext implements ChannelHandlerContext {
             RECYCLER.recycle(this, handle);
         }
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public String toHintString() {
+        return '\'' + name + "' will handle the message from this point.";
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public String toString() {
+        return StringUtil.simpleClassName(ChannelHandlerContext.class) + '(' + name + ", " + channel + ')';
+    }
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultFileRegion.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultFileRegion.java
index 7e1b97fcec..75ef56a9f0 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultFileRegion.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultFileRegion.java
@@ -121,4 +121,9 @@ public class DefaultFileRegion extends AbstractReferenceCounted implements FileR
     public FileRegion touch() {
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public FileRegion touch(Object hint) {
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/FileRegion.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/FileRegion.java
index c192ffbc16..77c467c213 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/FileRegion.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/FileRegion.java
@@ -89,4 +89,7 @@ public interface FileRegion extends ReferenceCounted {
 
     @Override
     FileRegion touch();
+
+    @Override
+    FileRegion touch(Object hint);
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/socket/DatagramPacket.java b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/socket/DatagramPacket.java
index 62359cb0a5..475285199a 100644
--- a/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/socket/DatagramPacket.java
+++ b/transport/src/main/java/io/netty/channel/socket/DatagramPacket.java
@@ -69,4 +69,10 @@ public final class DatagramPacket
         super.touch();
         return this;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public DatagramPacket touch(Object hint) {
+        super.touch(hint);
+        return this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/transport/src/test/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelPipelineTest.java b/transport/src/test/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelPipelineTest.java
index 049826228e..2dd3d9701c 100644
--- a/transport/src/test/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelPipelineTest.java
+++ b/transport/src/test/java/io/netty/channel/DefaultChannelPipelineTest.java
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ public class DefaultChannelPipelineTest {
             }
 
             @Override
-            public ReferenceCounted touch() {
+            public ReferenceCounted touch(Object hint) {
                 return this;
             }
         };