Scoundrel giving up whiskey shows strain (5)

I believe the answer is:

retch

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'strain' is the definition.
(both can mean to vomit or attempt to vomit)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for retch that I've seen before include "Sound and seem to vomit" , "Try to bring up" , "throw up" , "Unsuccessful effort to vomit" , "Strain as if to vomit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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