Spiteful woman perhaps said to be after Bob (3)

I believe the answer is:

cat

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'spiteful woman' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for cat that I've seen before include "Malicious gossip" , "Sailor's whip with nine knotted strands" , "Animal - one with nine tails!" , "Lash < jazz fan" , "Feline mammel" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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