Graduate is back - large chap (5)

I believe the answer is:

basil

'chap' is the definition.

'graduate is back large' is the wordplay.
'graduate' becomes 'BA' (someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'is' reversed gives 'si'.
'ba'+'si'+'l'='BASIL'

(Other definitions for basil that I've seen before include "Aromatic herb with purplish-green leaves" , "comic character" , "Herb (from Fawlty Towers?)" , "A herb; Cardinal --- Hume" , "Aromatic leaves, used fresh or dried" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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