Smoothness backfiring for philanderer (4)

I believe the answer is:

wolf

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'for philanderer' is the definition.
(wolf is a kind of philanderer)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wolf that I've seen before include "Eat hastily" , "Pack hunter" , "Carnivorous mammal" , "Predatory canine (or man?)" , "Pack animal; composer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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