Crossword Genius

Give more water to monster taking refuge in rotten tree (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rehydrate

'give more water' is the definition.

'monster taking refuge in rotten tree' is the wordplay.
'monster' becomes 'hydra' (Hydra is an example).
'taking refuge in' is an insertion indicator.
'rotten' indicates an anagram.
'tree' with letters rearranged gives 'rete'.
'hydra' placed inside 'rete' is 'REHYDRATE'.

'to' is the link.

(Another definition for rehydrate that I've seen is " Add water to (a dried substance)".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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