Podgy elf, backward and retiring (6)
I believe the answer is:
fleshy
'podgy' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'elf backward and retiring' is the wordplay.
'backward' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'retiring' becomes 'shy' (I've seen this before).
'elf' backwards is 'fle'.
'fle'+'shy'='FLESHY'
(Other definitions for fleshy that I've seen before include "Sarcoid" , "Plump; soft and thick" , "Fat" , "Plump and meaty" , "Pulpy" .)