Sift (5)
I believe the answer is:
sieve
'sift' is the definition.
(I know that sift can be written as sieve)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for sieve that I've seen before include "Riddle, strain" , "Jumblies' vessel" , "Utensil with meshed bottom" , "Screen, sift, strain" , "Wire mesh utensil" .)