Crossword Genius

Sailor Brown checked Scottish cloth (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tartan

'checked scottish cloth' is the definition.
(checked pattern)

'sailor brown' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (tar can mean a sailor).
'brown' becomes 'tan' (tan is a kind of brown).
'tar'+'tan'='TARTAN'

(Other definitions for tartan that I've seen before include "Scots patterned cloth" , "Pattern of the Scottish clans" , "Scottish plaid design" , "Distinctive cloth pattern of a Highlands clan" , "Scots plaid" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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