Decline with some hesitation (6)
I believe the answer is:
wither
'decline' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'with some hesitation' is the wordplay.
'some hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound used when hesitating).
'with'+'er'='WITHER'
(Other definitions for wither that I've seen before include "(Of a plant) shrivel up" , "Shrink, shrivel up" , "Writhe about and shrivel" , "Waste" , "Droop, shrivel" .)