The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word QUINTS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
Q
U
I
N
T
S
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 QUINTS mean?
QUINTS noun- An interval of one fifth.
- The E string of a violin.
- In piquet, a sequence of five playing cards of the same suit; equivalent to a straight flush in poker
- A quin or quintuplet.
- A vehicle used by firefighters that combines the capabilities of a fire engine and a fire truck, having the ability to provide vertical access as well as pump water to fight a fire.
- Quinte; the fifth fencer in parrying or attacking position.