Crossword Genius

Fruit nipper peeled, marked with spots (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crabapple

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'fruit' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Sour fruit' mean 'crabapple' so perhaps 'fruit' could also mean 'crabapple')

'nipper peeled marked with spots' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'nipper' could be 'crab' (I have seen 'Nautical nipper' mean 'crab' so perhaps 'nipper' could also mean 'crab') and 'crab' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'apple' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for crabapple that I've seen is " Sour fruit".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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