Crossword Genius

Rebuff a loathsome, grasping, beastly individual (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

buffalo

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'grasping beastly individual' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'rebuff a loathsome' is the wordplay.
'BUFFALO' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for buffalo that I've seen before include "Animal whose milk made mozzarella initially" , "Horny beast" , "creature" , "Member of the cattle family" , "Powerful steer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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