Trainspotter removed protective garments giving them a little laugh (6)
I believe the answer is:
titter
'little laugh' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'trainspotter removed protective garments' is the wordplay.
'removed' suggests deleting specific letters.
'protective garments' becomes 'aprons' (apron is a kind of protective garment).
'trainspotter' with 'aprons' removed is 'TITTER'.
'giving them a' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for titter that I've seen before include "Nervously restrained laugh" , "A high-pitched nervous laugh" , "Stifled laugh" , "Stifled giggle" , "Half-suppressed laugh" .)