Kinswoman, thin, refusing starter (4)
I believe the answer is:
aunt
'kinswoman' is the definition.
(aunt is a kind of kinswoman)
'thin refusing starter' is the wordplay.
'thin' becomes 'gaunt' (similar in meaning).
'refusing starter' means to remove the first letter.
'gaunt' with its initial letter taken away is 'AUNT'.
(Other definitions for aunt that I've seen before include "Sister of father/mother" , "Uncle's wife" , "Female relative" , "Female relation" , "Family relative" .)