Crossword Genius

Beast sailor found by a lake (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jackal

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

'beast' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'sailor found by a lake' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'jack' (jack can informally mean a sailor).
'found by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'jack'+'a'+'l'='JACKAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for jackal that I've seen before include "Scavenging animal" , "Nocturnal mammal closely related to the dog" , "Dog-like African and Asian predator" , "Promote extravagantly" , "Dog-like carnivore" .)

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