Groped around for fastening (4)
I believe the answer is:
rope
'fastening' is the definition.
'groped around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ROPE' is hidden in the letters of 'groped'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for rope that I've seen before include "murder weapon" , "Stout cord" , "Strong line" , "Pore (anag.)" , "A thick strong cord" .)