Found out people's feelings about sand and caves (9)

I believe the answer is:

canvassed

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'found out people's feelings' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I can't see how they can define each other.

'about sand and caves' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sand' put after 'caves' is 'cavessand'.
'cavessand' with letters rearranged gives 'CANVASSED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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