Fend \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.
[1913 Webster]
With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
{To fend off a boat} or {To fend off a vessel} (Naut.), to
prevent its running against anything with too much
violence.
[1913 Webster]