Violently hit big mammal (5)

I believe the answer is:

whale

This clue is a double definition.

'violently hit' is the first definition.
(I know that to whale is to hit violently)

'big mammal' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

(Other definitions for whale that I've seen before include "Aquatic mammal" , "Largest animal" , "having such a good time?" , "It breathes through a blowhole" , "Large marine creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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