The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CROCK
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Earthen pot" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case earthen pot = crock.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 CROCK mean?
CROCK noun- A stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container.
- A piece of broken pottery, a shard.
- A person who is physically limited by age, illness or injury.
- An old or broken-down vehicle (and formerly a horse or ewe).
- Silly talk, a foolish belief, a poor excuse, nonsense.
- A low stool.
- A patient who is difficult to treat, especially one who complains of a minor or imagined illness.
- To break something or injure someone.
- (leatherworking) To transfer coloring through abrasion from one item to another.
- To cover the drain holes of a planter with stones or similar material, in order to ensure proper drainage.
- To put or store (something) in a crock or pot.
- The loose black particles collected from combustion, as on pots and kettles, or in a chimney; soot; smut.
- Colouring matter that rubs off from cloth.
- To give off crock or smut.