Covers ground with discarded vapes (5)

I believe the answer is:

paves

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'covers' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ground with discarded vapes' is the wordplay.
'vapes' anagrams to 'PAVES'.
However, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for paves that I've seen before include "Covers road or path with hard surface" , "Vespa (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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