Crossword Genius

Messes about on lake with boats (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

larks

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'messes about' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'lake with boats' is the wordplay.
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'boats' becomes 'arks' (ark is a kind of boat).
'l'+'arks'='LARKS'

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for larks that I've seen before include "Small songbirds" , "Birds; fun" , "Early birds" , "Flyers who tweet" , "Frolics" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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