Masculine type to subdue farm animal (4,3)

I believe the answer is:

milk cow

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'farm animal' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'masculine type to subdue' is the wordplay.
'masculine' becomes 'm'.
'type' becomes 'ilk' (ilk can mean a type or kind).
'to subdue' becomes 'cow' (as in cowing someone into submission).
'm'+'ilk'+'cow'='MILK COW'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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