Crossword Genius

Cloth put down after first sign of puddle (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plaid

'cloth' is the definition.
(I know that plaid is a type of cloth)

'put down after first sign of puddle' is the wordplay.
'put down' becomes 'laid' (to lay something is to put it down somewhere).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'first sign of' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'puddle' is 'p'.
'laid' put after 'p' is 'PLAID'.

(Other definitions for plaid that I've seen before include "party in Wales" , "Tartan-pattern cloth" , "Part of Scots dress or Welsh party" , "Cloth with a criss-cross design" , "Tartan twill cloth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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