The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TAFFRAIL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
A
F
F
R
A
I
L
More clues leading to the result TAFFRAIL
- Plump for bringing up feeble or stern protection?
- Staggering aft, infirm sailor may grasp it
- Well-padded backing applied to weak barrier aboard ship
- Topless group employed by bar, eliciting bit of a stern expression?
- Welsh river bird seen around the stern
- Drag up large and weak barrier in ship
- Guard on ship upset after sailor grabs couple of females
- Nautical bar that could make raft fail badly
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "barrier aboard ship" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case barrier aboard ship = taffrail.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 TAFFRAIL mean?
TAFFRAIL noun- The curved wooden top of the stern of a sailing man-of-war or East Indiaman, usually carved or decorated.
- The rail around the stern of a ship.
- The deck area at the stern of a vessel.