Crossword Genius

The fellow had to hug female relation? Spooky! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

haunted

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

'the fellow had to hug female relation?' is the wordplay.
'the fellow' becomes 'he' (I've seen this in other clues).
'had' becomes 'd' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to hug' indicates putting letters inside.
'female relation?' becomes 'aunt' (I've seen this before).
'he'+'d'='hed'
'hed' enclosing 'aunt' is 'HAUNTED'.

(Other definitions for haunted that I've seen before include "Ghost-ridden" , "Frequented by ghosts" , "Frequented by a ghost" , "Troubled by a ghost" , "Beset by spirits" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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