Desert lion scratching its back a bit (6)
I believe the answer is:
rather
'bit' is the definition.
(I have seen 'A bit' mean 'rather' so perhaps 'bit' could also mean 'rather')
'desert lion scratching its back a' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'desert' could be 'rat' (abandon treacherously) and 'rat' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'her' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rather that I've seen before include "Preferably, instead" , "Yes, please!" , "More willingly, by preference" , "Pretty" , "Somewhat; more willingly" .)