Crossword Genius

Scoffed each toffee every night? Only at first (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eaten

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scoffed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'each toffee every night? only at first' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'each' could be 'ea' (abbreviation) and 'ea' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ten' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eaten that I've seen before include "having enjoyed dinner?" , "absorbed in the system" , "Got" , "Put away" , "Upset" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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