Proceed slowly as backer loses margins (5)

I believe the answer is:

amble

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'proceed' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for amble that I've seen before include "Mosey (along)" , "Stroll, saunter" , "Walk at an easy pace" , "Dawdle" , "Move at an easy pace" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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