This will undermine the breakwater (4)
I believe the answer is:
mole
'the breakwater' is the definition.
('mole' can be a synonym of 'breakwater')
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mole that I've seen before include "one in the Underworld?" , "Spy, skin spot and furry animal" , "Counterspy" , "Groyne" , "spy a > breakwater" .)