Tough, if companion comprehends? (5)
I believe the answer is:
butch
'tough' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'companion comprehends?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'companion' could be 'ch' (Companion of Honour) and 'ch' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'but' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'if' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for butch that I've seen before include "Macho" , "Acting as a male (colloq.)" , "Markedly masculine" , "Tough" , "Aggressively masculine" .)