A person who conducts a systematic survey or canvas of an area, typically to gather opinions, sell products, or collect information.
From Middle English 'canvassen,' meaning to shake in a canvas sheet; later evolved to mean questioning or surveying people thoroughly, combining 'an-' + 'vass' (canvas).
The word started with literal canvas-shaking to separate seeds, then transformed into a metaphor for separating truth from uncertainty by talking to many people—a perfect example of how practical actions become abstract concepts.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.