Friend greeting friends regularly had a natter (9)

I believe the answer is:

palavered

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a natter' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'friend greeting friends regularly' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'greeting' becomes 'ave' (Latin greeting).
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
The alternate letters of 'friends' are 'red'.
'pal'+'ave'+'red'='PALAVERED'

'had' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app