The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word INDIRECT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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N
D
I
R
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T
More clues leading to the result INDIRECT
- About to charge to go round roundabout
- Not being straight in dreadful court
- Rambling about getting put in charge
- Rein charge that’s getting circuitous
- Rambling among menacing edges on Cheviot
- See about cutting charge? It’s not straightforward
- Oblique dishing of dirt — nice!
- In dreadful court, getting evasive
- Reported home with terrible cold and temperature
- Incidental charge about to be introduced
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "circuitous" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case circuitous = indirect.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 INDIRECT mean?
INDIRECT noun- An indirect cost.
- To access by means of indirection; to dereference.
- Not direct; roundabout.