Cover, perhaps, producing panic (4)
I believe the answer is:
flap
'panic' is the definition.
(getting in a flap is panicking)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flap that I've seen before include "Use wings; be agitated" , "Agitated state; tab" , "Flutter" , "Be agitated; hinged piece" , "Minor panic; tab" .)