Hesitates (4)
I believe the answer is:
hems
'hesitates' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for hems that I've seen before include "Stitched edges of cloth or garments" , "Bottom edges turned under and sewn" , "Fringes" , "Stitched garment edges for Shem" , "Stitched borders" .)