Crossword Genius

Cunning control to lock outside a plant (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

artichoke

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

'a plant' is the definition.
(artichoke is a kind of plant)

'cunning control to lock outside' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'cunning' could be 'art' (I've seen this before) and 'art' is located in the answer.
'control' could be 'choke' (choke is a kind of control) and 'choke' is located in the answer.
A single letter 'i' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artichoke that I've seen before include "Plant with large edible flower-head" , "vegetable's served?" , "something to eat" , "Plant with edible flower heads" , "Vegetable could give you a thicko ear" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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