The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word WITHHELD
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More clues leading to the result WITHHELD
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Refused to give" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case refused to give = withheld.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 WITHHELD mean?
WITHHELD adjective- That one has withheld; kept from the possession or knowledge of another.
- To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
- To keep (information, assent etc) to oneself rather than revealing it.
- To stay back.