Crossword Genius

Poke quietly with stick (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prod

'poke' is the definition.
(I know that poke can be written as prod)

'quietly with stick' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'stick' becomes 'rod' (I've seen this before).
'p'+'rod'='PROD'

(Other definitions for prod that I've seen before include "Urge or stimulate" , "Poke with a stick" , "Drop (anag.)" , "Give a reminder" , "Spur or goad" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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