Crossword Genius

Plunged naked into river (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ouse

'river' is the definition.
(Yorkshire river)

'plunged naked' is the wordplay.
'plunged' becomes 'soused' (sousing is a kind of plunging).
'naked' indicates the central letters (outside letters removed so centre is unclothed).
The central letters of 'soused' are 'OUSE'.

'into' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ouse that I've seen before include "Lewes's river" , "bird has lost its tail" , "River at Bedford" , "York's river" , "Name of river in Sussex or Yorkshire" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app