Pieman associated with a crook (8)
I believe the answer is:
shepherd
This clue might be a double definition.
'pieman' is the first definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'a crook' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'associated with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shepherd that I've seen before include "has a pie of his own" , "Say Corydon" , "Clergyman perhaps" , "Animal tender" , "One minds rams and ewes" .)