stalk

The stem or main axis of a plant.

a stalk of wheat, rye, or oats;  the stalks of maize or hemp

Three chairs of the steamer type, all maimed, comprised the furniture of this roof-garden, with […] on one of the copings a row of four red clay flower-pots filled with sun-baked dust from which gnarled and rusty stalks thrust themselves up like withered elfin limbs.

The petiole, pedicel, or peduncle of a plant.

grape stalks

Something resembling the stalk of a plant, such as the stem of a quill.

they appear to be made up of little Bladders , like those in the Plume or Stalk of a Quill

An ornament in the Corinthian capital resembling the stalk of a plant, from which the volutes and helices spring.

One of the two upright pieces of a ladder.

To approach slowly and quietly in order not to be discovered when getting closer.

As for shooting a man from behind a wall, it is cruelly like to stalking a deer.

But they had already discovered that he could be bullied, and they had it their own way; and presently Selwyn lay prone upon the nursery floor, impersonating a ladrone while pleasant shivers chased themselves over Drina, whom he was stalking.

To (try to) follow or contact someone constantly, often resulting in harassment.ᵂᵖ

My ex-girlfriend is stalking me.

To walk slowly and cautiously; to walk in a stealthy, noiseless manner.

[Bertran] stalks close behind her, like a witch's fiend, / Pressing to be employed.

O ay, stalk on, stalk on, the fowl sits

To walk behind something, such as a screen, for the purpose of approaching game; to proceed under cover.

The king[…]crept under the shoulder of his led horse;[…]"I must stalk," said he.

One underneath his horse, to get a shoot doth stalk.

A particular episode of trying to follow or contact someone.

The hunting of a wild animal by stealthy approach.

When the stalk was over (the antelope took alarm and ran off before I was within rifle shot) I came back.