### Clue: European beast nearly got its teeth into lad (5)
### Answer: BISON 
 ### Explanation: Definition: European beast
  BI{"bit"(got its teeth into) **minus** its last letter(nearly)} + SON(lad). 
Answer: An ox-like beast found in Europe, distinguishable from the related American bison, which the Americans also call buffalo.  Interesting trivia:  they may not look it, but they're good swimmers.