Expensive source of venison reported (4)
I believe the answer is:
dear
'expensive' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'source of venison reported' is the wordplay.
'source of venison' becomes 'deer' (I've seen this in another clue).
'reported' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'deer' is a homophone of 'DEAR'.
(Other definitions for dear that I've seen before include "Costly (but loved!)" , "close" , "Expensive - address" , "Expensive -- honey" , "Overpriced" .)