FEND (2)

Fend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fended; p. pr. & vb. n. Fending.] [[Abbrev. fr. defend.]] To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward off; to shut out; — often with off; as, to fend off blows. With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. Dryden. To fend off a boat or vessel (Naut.), to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.