Mardi Gras follower (4)
I believe the answer is:
lent
'mardi gras follower' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lent that I've seen before include "Period of penance" , "Period of fasting" , "Period from Ash Wednesday to Easter" , "Loaned; a fast" , "Time of fasting" .)