Crossword Genius

Rope that woman takes in was knotted (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hawser

'rope' is the definition.
(hawser is a kind of rope)

'woman takes in was knotted' is the wordplay.
'woman' becomes 'her' (**).
'takes in' indicates putting letters inside.
'knotted' indicates an anagram.
'was' with letters rearranged gives 'aws'.
'her' going around 'aws' is 'HAWSER'.

'that' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for hawser that I've seen before include "Large heavy rope" , "Ship's mooring rope" , "Ship's tow-rope" , "Ship's large rope or small cable" , "Heavy rope for nautical use" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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