Examine an American method of payment (5)
I believe the answer is:
check
'examine' is the definition.
(check can mean to examine or inspect)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for check that I've seen before include "Verify; restrain" , "Restrain; vet" , "Investigate; rein in" , "Make sure" , "Restrain; square pattern" .)