Swam after the tots? (6)

I believe the answer is:

reeled

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'swam' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them 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 reeled that I've seen before include "Staggered or tottered" , "Lurched" , "swam around" , "Staggered in a dance perhaps" , "Felt giddy or bewildered" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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