Tantalise (5)
I believe the answer is:
tease
'tantalise' is the definition.
(teasing is a kind of tantalizing)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tease that I've seen before include "Vex" , "Rib, wind up" , "Taunt or bait" , "Playfully provoke" , "Comb or card (wool)" .)