To do s.t. in a round about way; to go by way of.
When she tells something she does it in a round about way from the beginning to end (lit. from the root to the growing part).
That’s why he took a long time to arrive, because he went by way of all the houses of other people.
You always go by way of other peoples houses.
I went by way of stones, that’s why I am not wet.