This would soak up cans of beer I spilt over time (12)

I believe the answer is:

sorbefacient

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'spilt over time' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives can occasionally mean the same thing.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sorbefacient that I've seen before include "Promoting intake" , "something to soak up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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