Fellow into pickled onions (3)

I believe the answer is:

don

'fellow' is the definition.
(both can mean an academic)

'into pickled onions' is the wordplay.
'into' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'DON' is hidden in the letters of 'pickled onions'.

(Other definitions for don that I've seen before include "put on > one of several rivers" , "Fellow" , "University teacher" , "A mafia chief or Spanish lord" , "- - Giovanni, 26" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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