stumps — the lower end of a tree or plant left after the main part falls or is cut off; a standing tree trunk from which the upper part and branches have been removed.
canvasses — to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.
crusades — (often initial capital letter) any of the military expeditions undertaken by the Christians of Europe in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Muslims.
tours — a former province in W France. Capital: Tours.
spies — a person employed by a government to obtain secret information or intelligence about another, usually hostile, country, especially with reference to military or naval affairs.
taps — a cylindrical stick, long plug, or stopper for closing an opening through which liquid is drawn, as in a cask; spigot.
defiles — Third person singular simple present of to defile.
hurts — Third-person singular simple present indicative form of hurt.
pans — an international distress signal used by shore stations to inform a ship, aircraft, etc., of something vital to its safety or to the safety of one of its passengers.