Crossword Genius

Hop bud, pickled (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caper

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'hop' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for caper that I've seen before include "Lark" , "Cooked and pickled flower bud" , "Frolic - bud used in cooking" , "Pickle ingredient" , "Escapade with an edible bud?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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