Crossword Genius

Attack aimed at badgers (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

onset

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

'attack' is the definition.
(archaic term for a military attack)

'aimed at badgers' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'at' could be 'on' (location) and 'on' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'set' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for onset that I've seen before include "origin" , "Assault; start" , "Assault; beginning" , "Inception" , "Beginning; military attack" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app