Crossword Genius

Sailor at end of cavern finding mountain lake (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tarn

'mountain lake' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sailor at end of cavern' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (slang term for a sailor).
'at end of' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'cavern' is 'n'.
'tar'+'n'='TARN'

'finding' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for tarn that I've seen before include "High water" , "Scottish mountain lake" , "Small mountain lake" , "Mountain pool: French department" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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