Garden tools caught in stockings (4)
I believe the answer is:
hose
'stockings' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'garden tools caught' is the wordplay.
'garden tools' becomes 'hoes' (I've seen this before).
'caught' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue (to catch something can mean to hear it).
'hoes' sounds like 'HOSE'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for hose that I've seen before include "plumbing connection" , "footwear" , "Flexible pipe for liquid" , "Breeches (worn with a doublet)" , "Water pipe" .)