Try to hear what happens in autumn, though not at first (9)
I believe the answer is:
eavesdrop
'try to hear' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with perception as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eavesdrop that I've seen before include "Listen-in" , "Hold secret hearing" , "Listen carefully" , "Listen secretly to private talk" , "spy" .)