The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word SCAVENGERS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result SCAVENGERS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "refuse their food?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case refuse their food? = scavengers.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 SCAVENGERS mean?
SCAVENGERS noun- Someone who scavenges, especially one who searches through rubbish for food or useful things.
- An animal that feeds on decaying matter such as carrion.
- A street sweeper.
- A child employed to pick up loose cotton from the floor in a cotton mill.
- A substance used to remove impurities from the air or from a solution.