Fishnets that could assist fishing vessel’s process by seconds (7)
I believe the answer is:
hosiery
'process by seconds' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hosiery that I've seen before include "Socks, tights, etc" , "Stocking" , "the object of much leg-pulling" , "Underwear items such as stockings" , "Tights and the like" .)