The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SHIRT
S
H
I
R
T
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "close covering" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case close covering = shirt.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 SHIRT mean?
SHIRT noun- An article of clothing that is worn on the upper part of the body, and often has sleeves, either long or short, that cover the arms.
- An interior lining in a blast furnace.
- A member of the shirt-wearing team in a shirts and skins game.
- To cover or clothe with a shirt, or as if with a shirt.