Answer: clewing

AnswerCrossword Clue
clewingball or skein of thread, yarn, etc.
clewingCLEW, to roll into a ball
clewinganything that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem, mystery, etc.
clewingto coil into a ball
clewingto direct or point out by a clue
clewingeither lower corner of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
clewinga. to draw up the bottom edge of (a curtain, drop, etc.) and fold out of view; bag b. to secure (lines) with a clew