Friend initially creates unpleasant smell (4)
I believe the answer is:
chum
'friend' is the definition.
(chum is a kind of friend)
'initially creates unpleasant smell' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'unpleasant smell' becomes 'hum' (hum can mean a disgusting smell).
The first letter of 'creates' is 'c'.
'c'+'hum'='CHUM'
(Other definitions for chum that I've seen before include "Informally, a close friend" , "Good friend" , "Close friend (colloq.)" , "Pal, mate" , "Salmon" .)