Crossword Genius

Discomfit seaman Wood (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abash

'discomfit' is the definition.
(abashing is a kind of discomfiting)

'seaman wood' is the wordplay.
'seaman' becomes 'ab' (short for able seaman).
'wood' becomes 'ash' (wood from an ash tree).
'ab'+'ash'='ABASH'

(Other definitions for abash that I've seen before include "Cause to feel 4" , "Crush" , "Cause embarrassment" , "show up" , "Embarrass" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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