The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PUBLICAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
P
U
B
L
I
C
A
N
More clues leading to the result PUBLICAN
- Barman in a club dancing on piano
- General Auchinleck taking lead with new host
- Host of American politician about to be deposed?
- Bird has no energy to collect dole money for the landlord
- Article supporting popular landlord
- Article supporting well-known landlord
- Bird losing energy to massage topless house keeper
- Bar runner from club with pain needing treatment
- Host of lice’s heading into cabin, not entirely put out
- A host of local supporters
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 PUBLICAN mean?
PUBLICAN noun- The landlord of a public house.
- A tax collector in Ancient Rome.