Delicately applies (4)
I believe the answer is:
dabs
'delicately applies' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for dabs that I've seen before include "'Pats at, with a cloth, say (4)'" , "Fingerprints (sl.)" , "they give evidence to police" , "Fish < experts" , "Fingerprints (informal)" .)