Sentence:  A laborer's wife was visited "fifteen" times by people of importance who lived near her in order to induce her to bring over her husband to the Tory cause.… Canvassing like this is not the mere suggestion of arguments in favor of the cause represented by the canvasser; it is not even solicitation. It is <WSD>"efflagitation</WSD>". 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (rare) A constant and insistent demanding, importunity.