Crossword Genius

Old wash round ears at first, and go (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leave

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

'go' is the definition.
(go can mean to depart or leave)

'old wash round ears at first' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'first' could be 'a' (first letter of the alphabet) and 'a' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'leve' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leave that I've seen before include "Renounce" , "Go - on holidays?" , "Permission to go; allow to remain" , "Withdraw - permission - to go - holiday" , "Time off; go" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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