For a stretch, Saharan imbibed rainwater from these (5)
I believe the answer is:
nimbi
'for a stretch' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'saharan imbibed rainwater from these' is the wordplay.
'NIMBI' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am uncertain how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nimbi that I've seen before include "Rain clouds - halos" , "Dark things" , "Rain-bearing clouds" , "Rain-clouds" , "rings" .)