Deserts sailor & son at sea (8)
I believe the answer is:
abandons
'deserts' is the definition.
('abandon' can be a synonym of 'desert')
'sailor son at sea' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'aband' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'at sea' is an anagram indicator.
'son' is an anagram of 'ons'.
'aband'+'ons'='ABANDONS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abandons that I've seen before include "Deserts, gives up completely" , "Deserts, say a sinking ship" , "Deserts, never intending to return" , "Deserts, forsakes" , "Forsakes, leaves behind" .)