Flatter shade of brown (4)
I believe the answer is:
fawn
This clue is a triple definition!
'flatter' is the first definition.
(fawning is a kind of flattering)
'shade' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'of' is a link.
'brown' is the third definition.
(fawn is a kind of brown)
(Other definitions for fawn that I've seen before include "Try to win favour by being obsequious" , "Be servile" , "Be obsequious towards young deer?" , "Young deer - beige colour" , "Behave obsequiously like young deer" .)