Commotion starts to signal trouble in residence (4)

I believe the answer is:

stir

'commotion' is the definition.
('stir' can be a synonym of 'commotion')

'starts to signal trouble in residence' is the wordplay.
'starts to' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'signal trouble in residence' is 'STIR'.

(Other definitions for stir that I've seen before include "Disturb" , "Big house" , "Whisk or mix" , "Agitate - disturbance" , "bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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