Crew cut beginning to increase influence (5)

I believe the answer is:

eight

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'crew' is the definition.
(an eight-person rowing team)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for eight that I've seen before include "Set of rowers" , "Four twos" , "Two cubed" , "Number of the April rainers" , "23" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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