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 aboat or vessel(Naut.), to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.