Crossword Genius

Brownie in crowd returning to base as before (8)

Ross

There are a few possibilities for this:

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'brownie in' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'crowd returning to base as before' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'to' is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'base' is 'asbe' which is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asbestos that I've seen before include "Fibrous mineral, used as an insulator, now deemed harmful" , "Fire-retardant material" , "Fireproof material, dangerous to health" , "'Fireproof substance, dangerous to health (8)'" , "Firewall material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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