Makes a mistake apparently, suppressing large leaks (6)
I believe the answer is:
spills
'makes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spills that I've seen before include "Causes liquid to flow out" , "Pieces of rolled paper used to light a fire" , "Pieces of rolled paper used to light fires" .)