They may disperse lakes (5)
I believe the answer is:
leaks
'they' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'disperse lakes' is the wordplay.
'disperse' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'dispersed' mean this).
'lakes' anagrammed gives 'LEAKS'.
'may' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for leaks that I've seen before include "Unauthorised disclosures of information" , "Cracks oozing liquids or unauthorised disclosures" .)