The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word TUMBLEWEED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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More clues leading to the result TUMBLEWEED
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Desert wanderer" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case desert wanderer = tumbleweed.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 TUMBLEWEED mean?
TUMBLEWEED noun- Any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots in the autumn, and is driven by the wind, as a light, rolling mass, over the fields and prairies; as witch grass, wild indigo, Amaranthus albus, etc.
- Describing unwanted silence and inactivity. Often used of a situation when one makes a statement that is ignored or ill-received by one's audience, as the resultant silence is likened to that of a desolate desert with rolling tumbleweeds.
- A tan colour, like that of a tumbleweed.