Express could produce topless spread (5)
I believe the answer is:
utter
'express' is the definition.
(I know that express can be written as utter)
'topless spread' is the wordplay.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'spread' becomes 'butter' (butter is a spread).
'butter' with its initial letter removed is 'UTTER'.
'could produce' is the link.
(Other definitions for utter that I've seen before include "Total - speak" , "Speak, express" , "Speak - out-and-out" , "Pure" , "Sheer" .)