Male took food for friend (4)
I believe the answer is:
mate
'friend' is the definition.
(mate is a kind of friend)
'male took food' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'took food' becomes 'ate' (I've seen this before).
'm'+'ate'='MATE'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for mate that I've seen before include "Spouse or informal pal (4)" , "assistant" , "One of a pair or a pal" , "Chess ending; pal" , "Friend, companion" .)