To go around asking people for their opinions or votes, usually for a political campaign; can also mean to thoroughly examine or discuss something.
From 'canvas,' originally meaning to shake out or toss in a sheet (canvas was a coarse cloth). The word evolved to mean 'to discuss thoroughly' and then 'to solicit votes' in 18th-century political language.
The word comes from literally tossing people or issues around like grain in a canvas sack—the Romans did this to people they distrusted, and the word stuck around to mean 'rough examination' and now 'asking people tough political questions!'
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