Working out what dockers might have done (9)

I believe the answer is:

deduction

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'working out' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deduction that I've seen before include "Removal; finding" , "Inference; stoppage" , "Amount taken away" , "gathering" , "Taking off" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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