The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word STRONGYLE
S
T
R
O
N
G
Y
L
E
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 STRONGYLE mean?
STRONGYLE noun- A nematode worm of the family Strongylidae, often parasitic in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, especially horses
- A monoaxon with a rounded end