Check in a systematic way (4)

I believe the answer is:

stem

'check' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'in a systematic way' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'STEM' can be found hidden inside 'systematic way'.

(Other definitions for stem that I've seen before include "Staunch (flow)" , "Block" , "something growing?" , "Staunch - support" , "Thin vertical part of glass or plant" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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