Crossword Genius

Spooner's water shining — a warning signal (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brake light

'signal' is the definition.
(brake light is a kind of signal)

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

(Another definition for brake light that I've seen is " Device that signals when a car is slowing".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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