Little hooter throws in the towel (5)
I believe the answer is:
owlet
'little hooter' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'throws in the towel' is the wordplay.
'throws in' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'thrown in' mean this (the letters must be thrown around)).
'towel' is an anagram of 'OWLET'.
(Other definitions for owlet that I've seen before include "Wise baby bird?" , "Young bird; moth" , "Offspring of the wise one?" , "new hooter?" , "Wise avian's youngster?" .)