Duct, initially slashed open, leaked (7)

I believe the answer is:

dripped

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'leaked' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for dripped that I've seen is " Fell in drops".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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