Crossword Genius

Bovine creature without water, perhaps? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

neat

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

'bovine' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'creature without water perhaps?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'water' could be 'ea' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ea' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neat that I've seen before include "Old cattle" , "farm animals" , "Tidy - old cow!" , "bull, eg" , "avoiding water?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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