The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DILUTED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
I
L
U
T
E
D
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DILUTED mean?
DILUTED verb- To make thinner by adding solvent to a solution, especially by adding water.
- To weaken, especially by adding a foreign substance.
- To cause the value of individual shares or the stake of a shareholder to decrease by increasing the total number of shares.
- To become attenuated, thin, or weak.
- That has had something added in order to dilute it.