Crossword Genius

Something in sauce that is ''nautheating''? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thickening

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sauce that is ''nautheating''?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'something in' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'in' is within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for thickening that I've seen is " Possible development of plot".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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