Crossword Genius

Did butterfly possibly start to pollute wetland? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swamp

'wetland?' is the definition.

'did butterfly possibly start to pollute' is the wordplay.
'did butterfly possibly' becomes 'swam' (butterfly is a type of swimming stroke).
'start to' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'pollute' is 'p'.
'swam'+'p'='SWAMP'

(Other definitions for swamp that I've seen before include "marshy tract" , "Bog, marsh" , "Bog; inundate" , "Marshy land" , "Overwhelm; wetland" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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