Don't start to paper it - I have shortened a bowel opener (9)

I believe the answer is:

aperitive

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'a bowel opener' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'don't start to paper it i have shortened' is the wordplay.
'don't start' becomes 'aper' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to paper' becomes 'I' (the i is a UK newspaper).
'it' becomes ''t' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis).
'i have shortened' becomes 'I've' (contraction of 'I have').
'aper'+'i'+'t'+'ive'='APERITIVE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for aperitive that I've seen is " Drink to stimulate appetite".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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