Puts on the lettuce and spoils (7)
I believe the answer is:
cossets
'spoils' is the definition.
('cosset' can be a synonym of 'spoil')
'puts on the lettuce' is the wordplay.
'puts' becomes 'sets' (setting is a kind of putting).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'the lettuce' becomes 'cos' (cos is a kind of lettuce).
'sets' put after 'cos' is 'COSSETS'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for cossets that I've seen before include "Pampers" , "Treats with excessive indulgence" , "Protects" , "Overprotects" .)