Apply, as ointment

RUBON

Think of how you might gently spread lotion or a medicinal cream onto your skin to soothe it. The action starts with "rub" and ends with a short word meaning "to place."

"Apply, as ointment" hints at the action of spreading something like cream or salve onto skin. The answer "RUBON" breaks down into "RUB" (the act of applying by friction) and "ON" (indicating placement). It’s a straightforward charade-style clue where the two parts combine to form a single verb meaning exactly what the clue describes.