The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word LEECHES
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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 LEECHES mean?
LEECHES noun- An aquatic blood-sucking annelid of class Hirudinea, especially Hirudo medicinalis.
- A person who derives profit from others in a parasitic fashion.
- A glass tube designed for drawing blood from damaged tissue by means of a vacuum.
- To apply a leech medicinally, so that it sucks blood from the patient.
- To drain (resources) without giving back.
- A physician.
- (Heathenry) A healer.
- To treat, cure or heal.
- The vertical edge of a square sail.
- The aft edge of a triangular sail.