Burns or rases, possibly (5)
I believe the answer is:
sears
'burns' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'rases possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'rases' with letters rearranged gives 'SEARS'.
'or' is the link.
(Other definitions for sears that I've seen before include "Scorches or burns the surface of" , "Makes very hot and dry" , "Superficially burns" .)