Chinese zodiac rodent (3)
I believe the answer is:
rat
'chinese zodiac rodent' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "Rodent - deserter" , "one who deserts the sinking ship?" , "Renegade" , "Unpleasant character" , "Grass" .)