A four-letter word that means "hint for a puzzle" is probably "clue." Check if the T is correct.
Parts.
bastesbatterbeatenbetterbitterboltedbootedbuntedbuttonbrattybuttercartedcartonchattycratescontracutterdarteddottedexitedexoticfastedfasterfetterfitterflatlyfootedfostergentrygrittygutterheatedhintedhuntedlastedlastlylistenletterlistedlitterlootedmastermattedmistermittenmentormantramostlymutterneatlypantrypartlypastedpastespastorpesterpistonportlypottedpotterposterpoutedprettyquotedrootedroutedsaltedseatedsentrysettlesistersittersortedsuitedsultrywastedwasteswrithe
The word is create.
beastswaistsgueststoastyexists
transduce
battledbottledclothedcustardcontendfrettedleotardmottledmustardnettledpretendrattledsettled
crested
letters
their thain
Strauss
drat