Crossword Genius

Toboggan, impeded by damp, losing rear end, spun awkwardly (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slewed

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spun awkwardly' is the definition.
The definition suggests a past participle verb which matches the answer.

'toboggan impeded by damp losing rear end' is the wordplay.
'toboggan' becomes 'sled' (toboggan is a type of sled).
'impeded by' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters impede or disrupt the word).
'damp losing rear end' becomes 'we' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'sled' enclosing 'we' is 'SLEWED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slewed that I've seen before include "Swung round suddenly" , "Swung round; drunk" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app