Crossword Genius

Bathes in hot water in bawdy-house (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stews

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'bathes' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stews that I've seen before include "Ragouts" , "Dishes cooked by long simmering" , "Cooks slowly in liquid" , "Pickles" , "Swelters" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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