Partly under water for waves caused by a passing vessel (5)

I believe the answer is:

awash

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'partly under water' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for awash that I've seen before include "Letting the 21 in" , "becomes flooded" , "Drenched" , "Flood" , "Doused in water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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