The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SELVAGE
S
E
L
V
A
G
E
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 SELVAGE mean?
SELVAGE noun- The edge of a woven fabric, where the weft (side-to-side) threads run around the warp (top to bottom) threads, creating a finished edge.
- Any edge of fabric finished so as to prevent raveling.
- The excess area of any printed or perforated sheet, such as the border on a sheet of postage stamps or the wide margins of an engraving.
- A distinct border of a mass of igneous rock. It is usually fine-grained or glassy due to rapid cooling.
- Clay-like material found along and around a geological fault.
- The edge plate of a lock, through which the bolt passes.
- That part of a lode adjacent to the walls on either side.