Played (with) (5)
I believe the answer is:
toyed
'played with' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for toyed that I've seen before include "Played" , "Acted idly" , "was trifling" , "Trifled (with someone's affections)" , "Engaged in an activity, but not seriously" .)