The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ROWED
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
R
O
W
E
D
More clues leading to the result ROWED
- Went on journey, you say? Took boat
- Used blade in a way that’s audible
- Maybe king due favour had words
- Took part in boat race, perhaps, and argued
- Quarrelled as king due
- Travelled by water and land route for the hearing
- He abandoned her, due to having quarrelled
- Went by boat and by bicycle as reported on the radio
- Paddled — precipitation otherwise will increase
- Used oars to travel course in the sound
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "had words" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case had words = rowed.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 ROWED mean?
ROWED verb- To propel (a boat or other craft) over water using oars.
- To transport in a boat propelled with oars.
- To be moved by oars.
- To argue noisily
- Formed into a row, or rows; having a specified number of rows.