Colonist left, having punched one like Hoskins (7)
I believe the answer is:
settler
'colonist' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for settler that I've seen before include "Person who moves into an uninhabited country" , "One taking up residence in a new area" , "Colonist, pioneer" , "Coloniser - arbitrator" , "New colonist" .)