The term 'made a start' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'embarked, ' which is an 8-letter word. Embarking is the act of beginning a journey or undertaking, and is often used to refer to the beginning of a project or task. It is also used to describe the beginning of a voyage, such as a ship setting sail. In this context, 'made a start' can be interpreted as having begun a task or journey.