Left a seaman little room (3)

I believe the answer is:

lab

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

'little room' is the definition.
'lab' can be an answer for 'room'. I'm not sure about the 'little' bit.

'left a seaman' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'a seaman' becomes 'ab' (short for able seaman).
'l'+'ab'='LAB'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lab that I've seen before include "Experimental facility" , "retriever" , "Science room" , "Socialist" , "Science workshop" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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