Be defensive and pay out with a growl (5)

I believe the answer is:

parry

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'growl' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for parry that I've seen before include "Jerusalem's composer" , "Block - deflect" , "Turn aside (a blow)" , "Answer evasively; 'Jerusalem' composer" , "skilful evasion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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