The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word DRAM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
D
R
A
M
More clues leading to the result DRAM
- Tot runs into mother's embrace
- Thirsty shortly before noon, wanting this?
- Play shortened a bit
- Director hurt when going over shot
- Drink and drive in the morning
- Weight of stuff given to daughter
- Short theatrical work, shortened
- Tot sees doctor before noon
- Bottling last of liquor, stop for a little drink
- Play stopped early for wee drink
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Tot" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case tot = dram.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 DRAM mean?
DRAM noun- The currency of Greece in ancient times and again from 1832 until 2001, with the symbol ₯, since replaced by the euro.
- A coin worth one drachma.
- An Ancient Greek weight of about 66.5 grains, or 4.3 grams.
- A later Greek weight equal to a gram.
- A small unit of weight, variously:
- Any similarly minute quantity, a small amount of strong alcohol or poison.
- A cart formerly used to haul coal in coal mines.
- To drink drams.
- To ply with drams of drink.
- The currency of Armenia, divided into 100 luma.