Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAN'VASS, v.t. [Old Fr. cannabasser, to beat about or shake, to examine. Junius. Skinner.]

1. To discuss; literally, to beat or shake out, to open by beating or shaking, like the L. discutio. This is the common use of the word; as, to canvass a subject, or the policy of a measure.
2. To examine returns of votes; to search or scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes for senators.