Boast about column (4)
I believe the answer is:
crow
'boast' is the definition.
(crow is a kind of boast)
'about column' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'c' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'column' becomes 'row' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'c'+'row'='CROW'
(Other definitions for crow that I've seen before include "one often getting stoned!" , "'As the - - flies'" , "One joins others in a murder" , "Black bird; boast" , "Large black bird" .)