The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word GLEANING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
G
L
E
A
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "gathering" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case gathering = gleaning.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 GLEANING mean?
GLEANING verb- To collect (grain, grapes, etc.) left behind after the main harvest or gathering.
- To gather what is left in (a field or vineyard).
- To gather information in small amounts, with implied difficulty, bit by bit.
- To frugally accumulate resources from low-yield contexts.
- Something learned by gleaning.
- The act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest.
- The catching of insects and other invertebrates by plucking them from within foliage, or sometimes from the ground. It may also be applied to where prey is picked off, or from within, natural and man-made surfaces such as rock faces and under the eaves of houses.