The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DEVISING
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
D
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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 DEVISING mean?
DEVISING verb- To use one's intellect to plan or design (something).
- To leave (property) in a will.
- To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.
- To plan or scheme for; to plot to obtain.
- To imagine; to guess.
- The act of creating a plan or some object, especially a will