The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DROUGHT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
R
O
U
G
H
T
More clues leading to the result DROUGHT
- Problem bringing dryness? Doctor has nothing, not initially
- Arduous time following drunkard's last dry spell
- Period without a drink is difficult after start of drinking time
- Daughter having bad time in dry spell
- Medic is compelled into humanitarian crisis
- December, except the middle, should be a dry spell
- Endlessly valiant, securing water at last in this?
- Doctor should prescribe no water
- Medicine man should be here as rainmaker?
- Shortage of wind — oxygen needed for asthmatic initially
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "this?/this?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case this?/this? = drought.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 DROUGHT mean?
DROUGHT noun- A period of unusually low rainfall, longer and more severe than a dry spell.
- (by extension) A longer than expected term without success, particularly in sport.