Gag, say, a deplorable character (5)
I believe the answer is:
retch
'gag say' is the definition.
(gagging is a kind of retching)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for retch that I've seen before include "Sound and seem to vomit" , "Gag, near-vomit" , "Strain as if to vomit" , "Reach" , "Heave (as if to vomit)" .)