Which term means to check or stop the flow of something?

The term that means to check or stop the flow of something is "stanch." This word is often used in contexts such as controlling the flow of blood from a wound or halting the progress of a leak. It is derived from the Old French word "estancher," which means to stop or to restrict.

In practical usage, when someone says they need to stanch a bleeding wound, they are indicating the need to apply pressure or a bandage in order to halt blood loss. This term conveys the idea of intervention to stop something from continuing, making it very specific to situations involving a flow that needs to be controlled.

The other options do not convey this meaning. "Subsume" refers to including something within a larger category, "supplicate" means to ask or beg for something earnestly, and "sundry" describes a variety or assortment of items. None of these terms are relevant to the concept of checking or stopping a flow, thereby reinforcing why "stanch" is the correct choice.