The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word WITHE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
W
I
T
H
E
More clues leading to the result WITHE
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "stick" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case stick = withe.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 WITHE mean?
WITHE noun- A flexible, slender twig or shoot, especially when used as a band or for binding; a withy.
- A band of twisted twigs.
- An elastic handle to a tool to save the hand from the shock of blows.
- An iron attachment on one end of a mast or boom, with a ring, through which another mast or boom is rigged out and secured.
- A partition between flues in a chimney.
- To bind with withes.
- To beat with withes.