The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word VETCH
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
V
E
T
C
H
More clues leading to the result VETCH
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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 VETCH mean?
VETCH noun- Any of several leguminous plants, of the genus Vicia, often grown as green manure and for their edible seeds
- Any of several similar plants within the subfamily Faboideae