Grovel for a stroke (5)
I believe the answer is:
crawl
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'grovel' is the first definition.
(I know that grovel can be written as crawl)
'for a stroke' is the second definition.
(crawl is a kind of stroke)
(Other definitions for crawl that I've seen before include "making slow progress" , "This can take you quickly through water" , "Be obsequious; swimming stroke" , "Go on hands and knees" , "Creep or move slowly" .)