The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word RIDDLED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
I
D
D
L
E
D
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "having spoken obscurely" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case having spoken obscurely = riddled.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 RIDDLED mean?
RIDDLED verb- To speak ambiguously or enigmatically.
- To solve, answer, or explicate a riddle or question.
- To put something through a riddle or sieve, to sieve, to sift.
- To fill with holes like a riddle.
- To fill or spread throughout; to pervade.
- To plait
- Damaged throughout by holes.
- Having (something) spread throughout, as if by an infestation.