Hint of stipulation (3)
I believe the answer is:
tip
'hint' is the definition.
('tip' can be a synonym of 'hint')
'of stipulation' is the wordplay.
'of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TIP' is hidden in the letters of 'stipulation'.
(Other definitions for tip that I've seen before include "lots of rubbish" , "The extreme end of something" , "expected by those who wait" , "Indication of potential opportunity" , "single piece of asparagus, perhaps" .)