Tend, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Tended; p. pr. & vb. n.Tending.] [Aphetic form of attend. See Attend, Tend to move, and cf. Tender one that tends or attends.] 1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks. Shak.
And flaming ministers to watch and tend
Their earthly charge. Milton.
There 's not a sparrow or a wren,
There 's not a blade of autumn grain,
Which the four seasons do not tend
And tides of life and increase lend. Emerson.
2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
Being to descend
A ladder much in height, I did not tend
My way well down. Chapman.
To tend a vessel(Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle the cable.