Plod — down-and-out (5)
I believe the answer is:
tramp
I believe this is a double definition.
'plod' is the first definition.
(I know that plod can be written as tramp)
'down-and-out' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for tramp that I've seen before include "Vagrant - cargo ship" , "woman who's promiscuous?" , "Live as a vagrant" , "Disreputable wanderer" , "Heavy footsteps" .)