Can kid about with the sailor (6)
I believe the answer is:
rating
'the sailor' is the definition.
(British term for a naval enlisted man)
'can kid about' is the wordplay.
'can' becomes 'tin' (both are metal containers).
'kid' becomes 'rag' (I've seen this in other clues).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'tin' going inside 'rag' is 'RATING'.
'with' is the link.
(Other definitions for rating that I've seen before include "Tar gin for a class of sailor" , "rebuke?" , "Ordinary seaman" , "Salt" , "Angry reprimand for non-commissioned sailor?" .)