Prep done by hybrid tool inspiring an early settler? (9)
I believe the answer is:
spadework
'prep' is the definition.
(spadework means preparatory work)
'hybrid tool inspiring an early settler?' is the wordplay.
'hybrid tool' becomes 'spork' (hybrid of a spoon and a fork).
'inspiring' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'early settler?' becomes 'dew' (dew settles on the ground early in the morning).
'a'+'dew'='adew'
'spork' enclosing 'adew' is 'SPADEWORK'.
'done by' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for spadework that I've seen before include "Routine preparation" , "Routine preparations for an undertaking" , "Basic preparations" , "Necessary preparation - digging?" , "Arduous but necessary preparation" .)