The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word DAUB
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
A
U
B
More clues leading to the result DAUB
- Knight grabbing a coat casually
- Knight covering a smear
- A bud’s botched in bad painting
- Smear name in article? Quite the reverse
- Plaster applied originally in friend’s retreat
- Half of 20 undeniably bad beginners produce crude painting
- Plaster for an eyesore?
- Smudge starts to disappear after using blotter
- You must tuck into fish spread
- 1d
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "smear" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case smear = daub.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 DAUB mean?
DAUB noun- Excrement or clay used as a bonding material in construction.
- A soft coating of mud, plaster etc.
- A crude or amateurish painting.
- To apply (something) to a surface in hasty or crude strokes.
- To paint (a picture, etc.) in a coarse or unskilful manner.
- To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal.
- To flatter excessively or grossly.
- To put on without taste; to deck gaudily.