Ran away to sea (5)
I believe the answer is:
ebbed
'ran' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ebbed that I've seen before include "Flowed back or receded" , "Went out like tide" , "Diminished" .)