German to possess dress (4)
I believe the answer is:
gown
'dress' is the definition.
(I know that gown is a kind of dress)
'german to possess' is the wordplay.
'german' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'to possess' becomes 'own' (synonyms).
'g'+'own'='GOWN'
(Other definitions for gown that I've seen before include "Ball dress" , "Academic or formal dress" , "Academic (or evening) wear" , "Academic attire" , "Formal robe" .)