Step back from escarpment, say (5)
I believe the answer is:
tread
'step' is the definition.
(I know that step can be written as tread)
'back from escarpment say' is the wordplay.
'back from' suggests the final letters (the letter at the back of the word).
'say' becomes 'read' (synonyms).
The last letter of 'escarpment' is 't'.
't'+'read'='TREAD'
(Other definitions for tread that I've seen before include "Part of flight" , "Step (heavily)" , "Rated (anag)" , "Walk; part of tyre" , "Gripping part of tyre" .)