The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SWALLOWED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
W
A
L
L
O
W
E
D
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Gulped" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case gulped = swallowed.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 SWALLOWED mean?
SWALLOWED verb- To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat.
- To take (something) in so that it disappears; to consume, absorb.
- To take food down into the stomach; to make the muscular contractions of the oesophagus to achieve this, often taken as a sign of nervousness or strong emotion.
- To accept easily or without questions; to believe, accept.
- To engross; to appropriate; usually with up.
- To retract; to recant.
- To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation.