Many are on the way in a foreign coaster (4)
I believe the answer is:
dhow
'a foreign coaster' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'many are on the way' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'd'.
'are on' says to put letters next to each other.
'the way' becomes 'how' (I've seen this in another clue).
'd'+'how'='DHOW'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dhow that I've seen before include "Arab sailing vessel" , "Arab lateen-rigged sailing ship" , "Arabian two-master" , "Arabian ship" , "Type of boat used in the Indian ocean" .)