Crossword Genius

Bar welcomes large group drooling (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slavering

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'drooling' is the definition.
('slaver' can be a synonym of 'drool')

'bar welcomes large group' is the wordplay.
'bar welcomes large' becomes 'slave' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'group' becomes 'ring' (a ring is a criminal organisation).
'slave'+'ring'='SLAVERING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slavering that I've seen before include "Desperately keen" , "be desperately anxious" , "Drooling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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