Tongue almost swallowed by lion? (4)
I believe the answer is:
inca
'tongue' is the definition.
(language of the Incas)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inca that I've seen before include "Foreign ruler" , "Ancient South American" , "Member of old South American Indian people of Peru" , "Pre-conquest South American people" , "Aged Peruvian" .)