Crossword Genius

Prevent vessels returning (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stop

'prevent' is the definition.
(stopping is a kind of preventing)

'vessels returning' is the wordplay.
'vessels' becomes 'pots' (pot is a kind of vessel).
'returning' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'pots' back-to-front is 'STOP'.

(Other definitions for stop that I've seen before include "Cease, halt" , "Pack it in - bar" , "Intercept" , "Part of organ" , "Plug; cease" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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