Returns late to the stomping grounds (6)
I believe the answer is:
haunts
'returns' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for haunts that I've seen before include "Frequents or visits as a ghost" , "Visits like a ghost" , "Inhabits as a ghost" , "Places where ghosts hang out?" , "Frequently visited places, hangouts" .)