Tom, perhaps, starts off cold, afterwards tender (3)
I believe the answer is:
cat
'tom perhaps' is the definition.
(tom is a kind of cat)
'starts off cold afterwards tender' is the wordplay.
'starts off' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'cold afterwards tender' is 'CAT'.
(Other definitions for cat that I've seen before include "one's pyjamas? They're an excellent thing" , "Domestic animal" , "Pussy" , "Eg, tiger, lion" , "Animal - one with nine tails!" .)