Thus crew initially without a steer? (7)

'thus crew' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'initially without a steer?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'without' could be 'less' and 'less' is found within the answer.
'steer?' could be 'ox' and 'ox' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'c' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).