As used by a gaucho having a fling? (5)
I believe the answer is:
bolas
'a fling?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'as used by a gaucho' is the wordplay.
'used by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a gaucho' becomes 'bol' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'as' after 'bol' is 'BOLAS'.
'having' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for bolas that I've seen is " What a gaucho may have".)