Crossword Genius

Old stager removes rats from gatehouse (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lodge

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

'gatehouse' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'old stager removes rats' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'old' is 'lod' which is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ge' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'from' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lodge that I've seen before include "Gatehouse - deposit" , "Small house at gates of park or estate" , "Small dwelling, part of estate" , "Small gatehouse" , "abode" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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