Crossword Genius

Spots large amounts of water, say (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sees

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spots' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'large amounts of water say' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'amounts' could be 'es' (e is a kind of amount) and 'es' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'se' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sees that I've seen before include "Observes or perceives" , "Observes the bishops' domains" , "Spots" , "Notices" , "Watches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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