Crossword Genius

Rough route, reportedly (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coarse

'rough' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)

'route reportedly' is the wordplay.
'route' becomes 'course' (course is a kind of route).
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'course' is a homophone of 'COARSE'.

(Other definitions for coarse that I've seen before include "Boorish" , "Large-grained or rough to the touch" , "gross" , "Rough in texture or crude in manner" , "Rough, uncouth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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