Crossword Genius

Something for chewing thickened then beaten (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cudgelled

'beaten' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

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

(Other definitions for cudgelled that I've seen before include "whacked" , "Clubbed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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