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. 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.