Crossword Genius

A natural food crusher (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boa

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

'crusher' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a natural food' is the wordplay.
'a natural' becomes 'bo' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'food' becomes 'A' (A is an example).
'bo'+'a'='BOA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for boa that I've seen before include "S American snake that crushes its prey" , "Wrap" , "... cold-blooded creature" , "Non-venomous snake" , "Fluffy scarf of feathers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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