Crossword Genius

Mare panicking on ship - keep back! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earmark

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'keep back' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'mare panicking on ship' is the wordplay.
'panicking' indicates anagramming the letters.
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'ship' becomes 'ark' (I've seen this in other clues).
'mare' anagrammed gives 'earm'.
'earm'+'ark'='EARMARK'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earmark that I've seen before include "It identifies the outcome" , "Designate for a specific purpose" , "Set aside specifically" , "Reserve for later use" , "spot where The Ring may be put on?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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