Crossword Genius

Maiden wriggling toes in water (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moisten

'water' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'maiden wriggling toes in' is the wordplay.
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'wriggling' is an anagram indicator.
'toes'+'in'='toesin'
'toesin' anagrammed gives 'oisten'.
'm'+'oisten'='MOISTEN'

(Other definitions for moisten that I've seen before include "water a bit" , "Make damp or slightly wet" , "It's on me (anag)" , "contrary to sixteen down [DEHYDRATE]!" , "What one's eyes may do!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app