Crossword Genius

Complaints about laws broken by a sailor (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cataracts

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'complaints' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'about laws broken by a sailor' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'ca' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'laws' becomes 'acts' (I've seen this before).
'broken by' indicates putting letters inside.
'a sailor' becomes 'tar' (slang term for a sailor).
'ca'+'acts'='caacts'
'caacts' going around 'tar' is 'CATARACTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cataracts that I've seen before include "Waterfalls and eye diseases" , "Large waterfalls and eye defects" , "Eye afflictions produce waterfalls" , "Waterfalls in the eyes?" , "Eye problems causing blurred vision" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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