Crossword Genius

American sailor is first in desert (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gobi

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

'desert' is the definition.
(Gobi is an example)

'american sailor is first' is the wordplay.
'american sailor' becomes 'gob' (gob is a kind of sailor. I am not sure about the 'american' bit.).
'is first' becomes 'i' (I in Roman numerals eg Elizabeth I).
'gob'+'i'='GOBI'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gobi that I've seen before include "Large desert plateau of southern Mongolia and northern China" , "Mongolian/Chinese desert" , "Large, mainly Mongolian, desert" , "Arid region in central Asia, and 38 across" , "Desert in east Asia" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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