Ooze goes backwards (4)

I believe the answer is:

seep

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

'ooze' is the definition.
(I know that ooze can be written as seep)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seep that I've seen before include "Ooze, percolate" , "Trickle through slowly" , "Flow or leak slowly" , "Leak slowly, ooze" , "dribble away" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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