Smooth over, in a way (4)
I believe the answer is:
pave
'smooth over in a way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for pave that I've seen before include "Cover with slabs" , "Surface with stone etc." , "Dress with stone etc" , "Cover with flags" , "Cover with flagstones" .)