Demanded search in grass (9)

I believe the answer is:

requested

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'demanded' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'search in grass' is the wordplay.
'search' becomes 'quest' (quest is a kind of search).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'grass' becomes 'reed' (I've seen this before).
'quest' put within 'reed' is 'REQUESTED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for requested that I've seen is " Asked for".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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