The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HOODLUM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
H
O
O
D
L
U
M
More clues leading to the result HOODLUM
- Rowdy lout initially stabbing poet with little hesitation
- Gangster in front of US car, almost portly figure
- Thug in appropriate head covering? Slow-witted type mostly
- Gangster in house, different mould
- English outlaw, short fat chap and gangster
- Thug cut in, suppressing loud struggling
- Cover Scottish smoke disperser for gangster
- Petty criminal‘s cover put up with to some extent
- It is criminal to stop smoking!
- Rough cowl on chimney in Scotland
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Rowdy" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case rowdy = hoodlum.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 HOODLUM mean?
HOODLUM noun- A gangster; a hired thug.
- A rough or violent youth.