Being a killer contributes to panic in general (5)
I believe the answer is:
icing
'being a killer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I can't see how one could define the other.
'contributes to panic in general' is the wordplay.
'contributes to' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'contributing to' mean this).
'ICING' is hidden within 'panic in general'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for icing that I've seen before include "Cake-topper" , "Cake frosting" , "The sweetest part of the cake" , "piece of cake?" , "Sweet coating on cake" .)