It grows, rather like an animal's coat (3)

I believe the answer is:

fir

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'it grows rather like an animal's coat' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for fir that I've seen before include "Pine tree for Gaelic men?" , "Conifer tree" , "wood" , "Tree with cones" , "Tree for an Irishman" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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