Crossword Genius

It might cover your legs and help wash them down (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hose

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it might cover your legs and help wash them down' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'it' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'it' could be 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'e' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'hos' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hose that I've seen before include "Socks and stockings" , "Flexible pipe for liquid" , "Flexible tube for liquid" , "Stockings; drench" , "plumbing connection" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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