Crossword Genius

Old sailor damages hot saline boggy area (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salt marsh

'saline boggy area' is the definition.
(a salt marsh is a salty, boggy area)

'old sailor damages hot' is the wordplay.
'old sailor' becomes 'salt' (old-fashioned nickname for a sailor).
'damages' becomes 'mars' (marring is a kind of damaging).
'hot' becomes 'h' (abbreviation eg on taps).
'salt'+'mars'+'h'='SALT MARSH'

(Other definitions for salt marsh that I've seen before include "Boggy ground" , "grazing area" , "regularly flooded area" , "squishy territory?" , "Land sodden with sea water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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