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Tracks down and deters them from working out trade secrets (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

traces

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'tracks down' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for traces that I've seen before include "Kick these over to be insubordinate or reckless" , "Slight indications on parts of the harness" , "Just detectable amounts" , "Sketches the outline of" , "Follows or discovers by examining evidence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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