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Rummaged for a slice of pomme de terre frite from the east (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ferreted

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'rummaged for a slice of pomme' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'de terre frite from the east' is the wordplay.
'frite' becomes 'f' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'from the east' is a reversal indicator.
'de'+'terre'+'f'='deterref'
'deterref' reversed gives 'FERRETED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ferreted that I've seen before include "Searched (for something) in a place or container" , "Hunted about" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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