The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EARTHIER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
E
A
R
T
H
I
E
R
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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 EARTHIER mean?
EARTHIER adjective- Resembling dirt or soil (i.e. earth).
- Down-to-earth, not artificial, natural.
- Coarse and unrefined, crude.
- Like or resembling the earth or of the earth.
- Covered with earth (mud, dirt).