Shoot, mate (3)

I believe the answer is:

bud

This clue is a double definition.

'shoot' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'mate' is the second definition.
(shortly for buddy)

(Other definitions for bud that I've seen before include "Tight flower" , "China to America?" , "Small pre-flower knob on plant" , "Small pre-flower knob - nip it" , "Undeveloped flower" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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