The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word IRRIGATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
I
R
R
I
G
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result IRRIGATE
- Dress put in steaming water
- Out of repair, rig a technical means to supply water
- Current price includes apparatus for water
- Water right for fellow in one ship
- Water to annoy, but it’s good for a short time
- Angry about equipment used to supply water
- Water and fire grip endless spectators
- Cook in boiling water
- Irish label in Ireland largely promoted water
- Doctor in hot water
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to supply water" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to supply water = irrigate.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 IRRIGATE mean?
IRRIGATE verb- To supply (farmland) with water, by building ditches, pipes, etc.
- To clean (a wound) with a fluid.