The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DEADHEAD
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
D
E
A
D
H
E
A
D
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 DEADHEAD mean?
DEADHEAD noun- A fan of the rock band The Grateful Dead.
- A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.
- An employee of a transportation company, especially a pilot, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to their next assignment.
- Anyone traveling for free.
- A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.
- A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.
- A stupid or boring person; dullard.
- A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.
- Driftwood.
- A zombie.
- To admit to a performance without charge.
- To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.
- To drive an empty vehicle.
- To send (a person or message) for free.
- To remove spent or dead blossoms from a plant.