Deserts sailor & son at sea (8)

I believe the answer is:

abandons

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'deserts' is the definition.
('abandon' can be a synonym of 'desert')

'sailor son at sea' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'aband' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'at sea' is an anagram indicator.
'son' is an anagram of 'ons'.
'aband'+'ons'='ABANDONS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abandons that I've seen before include "Deserts, gives up completely" , "Deserts, say a sinking ship" , "Deserts, never intending to return" , "Deserts, forsakes" , "Forsakes, leaves behind" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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