Crossword Genius

Blacken name of woman in pub (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

besmear

'blacken' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'name of woman in pub' is the wordplay.
'name of woman' becomes 'esme' ().
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'pub' becomes 'bar' (both are drinking establishments).
'esme' placed within 'bar' is 'BESMEAR'.

(Other definitions for besmear that I've seen before include "Sully" , "Bedaub; pollute" , "Cover with (something)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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