Hold back sailor with taint of guilt (7)
I believe the answer is:
abstain
'hold back' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'sailor with taint of guilt' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'taint of guilt' becomes 'stain' (stain can mean disgrace or shame).
'ab'+'stain'='ABSTAIN'
(Other definitions for abstain that I've seen before include "Take no part" , "Choose not to vote, or drink" , "Desist" , "Forego,do without" , "Pass" .)