Crossword Genius

Had been crying, one quickly saw (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peeped

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'had' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with perception as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for peeped that I've seen before include "Looked furtively at, like a certain Tom" , "Looked surreptitiously, maybe through keyhole" , "Looked covertly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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