Directed a small floating group (5)

I believe the answer is:

coxed

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'directed' is the definition.
(acted as a cox on a boat)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for coxed that I've seen before include "Guided, say, four" , "Steered (a rowing boat)" , "Having a helmsman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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