Gather a bit at a time (5)
I believe the answer is:
glean
'gather a bit at a time' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for glean that I've seen before include "Gather scraps" , "Gather (after reapers)" , "Gather (grain) after a harvest" , "Gather (info or the harvest)" , "Gather (information) bit by bit" .)