Wooden boats possibly showing signs of wear (5)
I believe the answer is:
sabot
'signs of wear' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'wooden boats possibly' is the wordplay.
'boats' anagrams to 'SABOT'.
Though, I'm not clear how the anagram is indicated.
'showing' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sabot that I've seen before include "Wooden clog" , "Carved shoe -- boats (anag)" , "This from last" , "what's afoot?" , "footwear from Paris" .)