A signal to abandon (6)

I believe the answer is:

maroon

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'to abandon' is the definition.
(marooning is a kind of abandoning)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for maroon that I've seen before include "one equipped to make a report" , "Brownish-crimson - abandon ashore" , "Brownish crimson" , "Source of report" , "Strand - reddish colour" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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