Carry around duck houses, getting dry (8)

I believe the answer is:

teetotal

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'dry' is the definition.
('teetotal' can be a synonym of 'dry')

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for teetotal that I've seen before include "Eschewing booze" , "Pledged to abstain from alcohol" , "avoiding any possibility of inebriation" , "refusing to drink" , "Abstention from alcoholic drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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