Take in a little at a time from Egyptian flower around hostelry (6)

I believe the answer is:

nibble

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'take in' is the definition.
(nibbling is a kind of taking in)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for nibble that I've seen before include "Bite gently and eat a little at a time" , "Take small bites of" , "Take tiny bites" , "Bite off very small pieces" , "Snack" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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