Able to absorb fluids (6)
I believe the answer is:
porous
'able to absorb fluids' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for porous that I've seen before include "Letting through fluid or air, permeable" , "Allowing liquid or gas to pass" , "Allowing air/liquid to pass through" , "Pitted with little holes, like skin" , "Letting liquid or gas pass" .)