The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word COVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
O
V
E
More clues leading to the result COVE
- Fellow in a sheltered place
- Bay, position docked
- Architectural feature providing detailed protection from the elements
- Old fish where the sea comes in
- Dated chap — desire unconsummated
- Fellow‘s insurance not complete
- Piece of garlic left out for bay
- Fellow that’s used by smugglers?
- Man‘s unnamed group of charming associates
- Old chap by the sea?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Bay" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bay = cove.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 COVE mean?
COVE noun- A hollow in a rock; a cave or cavern.
- A concave vault or archway, especially the arch of a ceiling.
- A small coastal inlet, especially one having high cliffs protecting vessels from prevailing winds.
- A strip of prairie extending into woodland.
- A recess or sheltered area on the slopes of a mountain.
- The wooden roof of the stern gallery of an old sailing warship.
- A thin line, sometimes gilded, along a yacht's strake below deck level.
- To arch over; to build in a hollow concave form; to make in the form of a cove.
- (thieves' cant) A fellow; a man.
- A friend; a mate.
- To brood, cover, over, or sit over, as birds their eggs.