Do reverse or put an initial trace on the stuff with a distinctive smell (7)
I believe the answer is:
odorant
'the stuff with a distinctive smell' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.
'do reverse or put an initial trace' is the wordplay.
'reverse' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'put' says to put letters next to each other.
'initial' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'trace' is 't'.
'do' written backwards gives 'od'.
'od'+'or'+'an'+'t'='ODORANT'
'on' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for odorant that I've seen before include "Something emitting a strong smell" , "Aromatic" , "may create a stink?" , "Tornado (anag)" .)