Something soft to sling! (3)

I believe the answer is:

mud

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'sling' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mud that I've seen before include "Sludge" , "-, -, Glorious - (Flanders and Swann)" , "slander" , "Clay" , "Earth and water mixed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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