Say spread hasn't started (5)
I believe the answer is:
utter
'say' is the definition.
(to utter something is to speak or say it)
'spread hasn't started' is the wordplay.
'spread' becomes 'butter' (butter is a spread).
'hasn't started' means to remove the first letter.
'butter' with its initial letter taken off is 'UTTER'.
(Other definitions for utter that I've seen before include "Speak - out-and-out" , "Absolutely" , "Pure" , "To say, articulate" , "Speak; completely" .)