The term 'STOPS THE FLOW OF' can be solved by two crossword solutions: STEMS (5 letters) and STANCHES (8 letters). Stems are the main part of a plant, usually consisting of a stalk, leaves, and flowers. Stems are important for transporting water and nutrients to other parts of the plant. STANCHES is a verb meaning to stop or check the flow of a liquid, such as blood or water. It is often used in medical contexts to describe the process of stopping bleeding.